The Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, announced on Thursday the death of its longtime chief of staff, Mohammed Deif, a figure who evaded Israeli capture for decades and was known for his elusive nature, earning him the nickname “The Guest” or “Deif” in Arabic.
Israel had previously claimed to have killed the 59-year-old Deif in an airstrike in al-Mawasi, southern Gaza, in July. However, Hamas had not confirmed his death until now.
Key Role in Hamas Operations
Deif, whose real name was Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al-Masri, was believed to be one of the masterminds behind the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel. Just hours after the assault, he released a rare audio message announcing the start of “The al-Aqsa Flood” operation and urged Palestinians to “expel the occupiers and demolish the walls.”
Little is known about his personal life, but in 2014, his wife and two young children were killed in an Israeli airstrike.
A History of Conflict
Israel had been pursuing Deif since the early 1990s due to his involvement in attacks on Israeli soldiers. He was appointed chief of staff of the Qassam Brigades in 2002 and is believed to have created the “Shadow Unit,” responsible for guarding and concealing Israeli captives. Members of this unit, dressed in black, were recently seen escorting released Israeli hostages for handover to the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Israel’s Efforts to Capture Deif
In December 2023, the Israeli military air-dropped leaflets across Gaza, offering a $100,000 reward for information on Deif’s whereabouts, assuring complete confidentiality for informants.
Although he managed to evade capture, Israeli reports suggest Deif sustained severe injuries from multiple assassination attempts, affecting his mobility and vision—claims Hamas never officially confirmed.
In a statement on Telegram, the Qassam Brigades praised Deif as a “great leader” and a “living example of courage.”
