Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant confirmed on Thursday that Mohammed Deif, the military chief of Hamas, was killed in an air strike on July 13 in the southern Gaza Strip. This confirmation follows earlier reports from Hamas and Iranian Revolutionary Guards about the death of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, though Israel has yet to comment on that claim.
Deif, who was also known as Mohammed Diab al-Masri, had been a key figure in Hamas and one of Israel’s most wanted individuals for nearly three decades. His death came as a result of a targeted air strike on Khan Yunis, which also killed one of his top commanders, Rafa Salama. The Israeli military stated that this operation was conducted based on an intelligence assessment confirming Deif’s elimination.
The air strike was part of Israel’s broader military campaign following the October 7 attack by Hamas on southern Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,197 people. Deif, who led Hamas’s Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, was implicated in orchestrating the attack. His role in Hamas’s military activities made him a primary target for Israeli forces.
Deif had previously survived numerous assassination attempts, earning him the nickname “cat with nine lives.” His high-profile status was marked by his reclusive nature; he often appeared masked or in silhouette in videos, and photographs of him were rare.
In addition to his role in the recent conflict, Deif was involved in the construction of an extensive network of tunnels under Gaza and had been detained by Israeli forces in the past. Despite his capture and escape from Palestinian Authority custody in the 1980s, he continued to evade capture for years.
The recent military campaign in Gaza, following the October 7 attack, has resulted in significant casualties, with Israel’s military actions leading to the reported deaths of 39,480 individuals in Gaza, according to the territory’s health ministry.
Deif’s death is a notable development in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, highlighting the continuing volatility in the region and the high-stakes nature of the military operations undertaken by both sides.
Sources By Agencies
