Hamas has confirmed the death of its top military commander, Mohammed Deif, in a statement released Thursday. The announcement follows Israel’s claim in July that it had killed Deif in an airstrike, a claim Hamas had previously denied.
Hamas’s Qassam Brigades spokesperson, Abu Obaida, also confirmed the killing of deputy military commander Marwan Issa and several other senior figures within the armed wing. Israel had claimed responsibility for Issa’s death in a March airstrike, though Hamas had previously withheld confirmation.
Mohammed Deif was one of the founding members of Hamas’s military wing, the Qassam Brigades, in the 1990s. He led the group’s military operations for over two decades and was linked to numerous attacks against Israel. Deif was also believed to have played a key role in developing Hamas’s tunnel network and weapons program.
He survived multiple Israeli assassination attempts, reportedly suffering severe injuries, including the loss of an eye and serious leg wounds. In 2014, an Israeli airstrike killed his wife and infant son in Gaza.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas released an audio recording of Deif announcing the “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation, marking the start of Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel.
In addition to Deif and Issa, Abu Obaida confirmed the deaths of:
– Ghazi Abu Tamaa, commander of weapons and combat services
– Raed Thabet, commander of manpower and head of supplies unit
– Rafei Salama, commander of the Khan Younis Brigade
Abu Obaida praised Deif’s leadership, stating, “This is befitting of our leader Mohammed Deif, who exhausted the enemy for more than 30 years.” He also honored Issa, calling him “the brain of the Qassam Brigades.”
The confirmation of Deif’s death marks a significant moment in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Israeli authorities have yet to comment on Hamas’s latest statement, while analysts suggest the loss of key military figures could impact Hamas’s operational capabilities.
