Hamas has confirmed the death of its military leader, Mohammed Deif, who was blamed by Israel for orchestrating the October 7 attack that resulted in heavy casualties. The confirmation came from Abu Obeida, the spokesperson for Hamas' Al-Qassam Brigades, in a video statement, where he declared that Deif, along with several other high-ranking commanders, had been martyred.
### Deif’s Involvement in the October 7 Attack
Israel had long identified Mohammed Deif as a central figure in the planning and execution of the deadly October 7 assault on Israel. The attack, which caused widespread devastation, was followed by the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in October 2024. Israel had previously announced that Deif had died in an airstrike in Gaza in July 2024.
### Israel's Strike and Confirmation of Deif’s Death
On July 13, 2024, Israel's military claimed its fighter jets struck the Khan Yunis area, confirming Deif’s death after an intelligence review. Along with Deif, top Hamas commander Rafa Salama was also reported to have been killed. The Israeli military held Deif responsible for masterminding the October 7 massacre.
### Deif’s History with Hamas
Mohammed Deif, born Mohammed Diab al-Masri in 1965 in the Khan Yunis refugee camp, led Hamas' Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades from 2002. Deif had been one of Israel's most wanted individuals for almost 30 years and was listed as a "global terrorist" by the US in 2015. He kept a low profile, rarely appearing in public, often hiding his face or appearing only in shadows.
Known as the "cat with nine lives," Deif survived several assassination attempts. In 2014, an Israeli airstrike killed his wife and infant son. Deif was also heavily involved in Hamas’s extensive tunnel network, a critical element of the group's military operations.
In May 2024, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) sought a warrant for his arrest, accusing him and Sinwar of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Despite Israel's earlier assertions about his death, Hamas only confirmed his demise