Hamas confirms death of Mohammed Deif

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The military wing of Hamas, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, announced the death of Mohammed Deif on January 30th, after Israel had declared it had killed the Hamas commander six months ago, Middle East Eye reported.

Mohammed Deif had escaped Israeli capture for decades, earning a reputation for moving like a ghost, and as a result, attaining the nickname “The Guest” or, in Arabic, “Deif.”

The ICC chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, was seeking an arrest warrant for Deif, as reported by Arab News via AP on May 20th 2024.

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Israel announced that it had killed Deif in an airstrike on al-Mawasi in southern Gaza in July, but Hamas did not confirm his death at that time.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant for Deif’s arrest in November, considering the uncertainty surrounding his death. Deif was facing charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The ICC also issued warrants for Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the now former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.

Deif, whose real name is Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al-Masri, is believed to be one of the organisers of the October 7th 2023 attack on Israel. Deif had delivered an audio message announcing the start of the attack called “The al-Aqsa Flood” and urged Palestinians in Israel to “expel the occupiers and demolish the walls”.

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In 2014, Deif’s wife and two children were all killed in an Israeli airstrike.

In 2002, he became chief of staff for the Qassam Brigades and is regarded to have been the founder of the “Shadow Uni” that protects and hides Israeli hostages.

The US listed Mohammed Deif as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in 2015.

In December 2023, Israel air-dropped fliers across Gaza offering $100,000 to anyone with information on Deif’s location, adding that anyone who comes forward is guaranteed confidentiality.

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The Qassam Brigades put out a statement on Telegram, describing Deif as a “great leader” who was a “living example of courage.”

“We bid farewell to the leader Abu Khaled,” the Qassam Brigades said, using his informal name among Palestinians.

Middle East Eye

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