Who is Mohammed Deif? Life and legacy of Qassam's late commander

On Thursday, Abu Obaida, the military spokesperson for Hamas’ Qassam Brigades, officially announced the death of Mohammed Deif, the head of the brigades, along with several senior military leaders from Al-Qassam's Military Council.

- Who was Mohammed Deif? - 

Deif was a Palestinian theater artist and political figure who helped establish Palestine’s first Islamic arts troupe, Al-A’idoun (The Returners). He later became one of "Israel’s" most wanted figures and was eventually appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas.

Deif was known for his secrecy, caution, and quick thinking. His public appearances were rare, and since surviving an assassination attempt in September 2002, he was only heard through statements related to resistance operations, the last of which was during the Operation Al-Aqsa Typhoon on Oct.7, 2023.

- Early life and background -

Mohammed Deif, born Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri in 1965, came from a Palestinian refugee family forced out of their village, Al-Qubayba, during the 1948 Nakba. His family settled in Khan Younis refugee camp in southern Gaza, where they lived in extreme poverty, compelling him to take on various jobs from a young age.

- Education and activism -

Deif studied science at the Islamic University of Gaza, where he was active in student and religious outreach work, as well as theater. During his university years, he embraced Islamic ideology and joined the Muslim Brotherhood, becoming a prominent figure in its student bloc.

- Political and military experience -

The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) arrested Deif in 1989, imprisoning him for 16 months on charges of working with Hamas’ military wing. Upon his release, he played a crucial role in expanding the Qassam Brigades’ operations in the West Bank following the 1993 assassination of Emad Akel.

He was involved in several high-profile operations, including the 1994 capture of IOF soldier Nachshon Wachsman and orchestrating retaliatory attacks following the assassination of Hamas bomb maker Yahya Ayyash.

- Role in Hamas -

Deif was instrumental in advancing Hamas’ military capabilities, making him a top target for "Israeli" assassination efforts.

The Palestinian Authority (PA) arrested him in May 2000, but he escaped custody at the start of the Second Intifada. He later took charge of Hamas’ military operations, particularly after the assassination of Salah Shehade, planning attacks deep inside "Israeli" territory.

- Confronting "Israel" -

Deif became a revered figure among Palestinian youth, with chants praising him frequently heard during protests, such as those in Jerusalem in May 2021.

He issued warnings to "Israel" over its aggression in Sheikh Jarrah, stating that the Qassam Brigades would respond.

On Oct. 7, 2023, Deif announced Operation Al-Aqsa Typhoon, claiming Hamas fired 5,000 rockets and shells at "Israel" in the first minutes of the offensive.

- Assassination attempts -

Over the years, "Israel" made multiple attempts to assassinate Deif, referring to him as the "Cat with Nine Lives." He survived at least five assassination attempts, including a major "Israeli" strike in September 2002.

- Arrest warrant -

On May 20, 2024, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) requested an arrest warrant for Deif and other Hamas leaders on charges of war crimes. Hamas condemned the decision, calling it an attempt to equate the victim with the oppressor and warning that it emboldened "Israel" to continue its “genocidal war.”