Israel’s army has confirmed the death of Mohammed Deif, Hamas’s top military commander, in an air raid in southern Gaza on July 13. “We can now confirm: Mohammed Deif was eliminated,” the Israeli military announced on Thursday. Deif’s death has not been officially confirmed by Hamas, with Izzat al-Rashq, a Hamas member, stating, “Confirming or denying the martyrdom of any of the Qassam leaders is a matter for the leadership of the Qassam Brigades and the leadership of the movement,” referring to Hamas’s military wing.
Israeli Leadership Reactions
Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant compared Deif to Osama Bin Laden, calling him “the Osama Bin Laden of Gaza” and describing his death as a significant milestone in dismantling Hamas as both a military and governing entity in Gaza. Gallant emphasized that Hamas militants must either surrender or be eliminated, vowing to pursue Hamas terrorists relentlessly until their mission is accomplished.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich declared that the collapse of Hamas was “closer than ever” following Deif’s death, stressing the importance of continuing the offensive until the group’s leadership is entirely destroyed. Similarly, opposition leaders in Israel praised the military for eliminating Deif. Avigdor Liberman, head of the Yisrael Beytenu party, congratulated the military for the “killing of the mass murderer Mohammed Deif,” while Yesh Atid party chairman Yair Lapid called the operation an “unprecedentedly important military achievement.”
The Airstrike and Its Aftermath
The airstrike targeting Deif resulted in the deaths of at least 90 people and injuries to 300 others in al-Mawasi, an Israeli-designated “safe zone” west of Khan Younis. The Israeli warplanes targeted tents housing displaced Palestinians and a water distillation unit. Graphic images from the scene showed Palestinians attempting to rescue survivors from the rubble, with many children and paramedics among the injured. The Israeli military claimed the strike was based on “precise intelligence” and aimed at an area where “two senior Hamas terrorists” and additional fighters were hiding among civilians.
Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Statement
In a subsequent news conference, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the targets of the airstrike were Mohammed Deif and senior Hamas commander Rafa Salama, though it was unclear if Salama was also killed. Netanyahu reiterated his government’s commitment to eliminating Hamas’s leadership, including Yahya Sinwar, Hamas’s leader in Gaza, and Marwan Issa, Deif’s deputy.
Mohammed Deif’s Background
Mohammed Deif, born Mohammad Masri in 1965 in the Khan Younis refugee camp, was one of the founders of the Qassam Brigades in the 1990s and led the force for over two decades. He adopted the name Mohammed Deif after joining Hamas during the first Intifada, which began in 1987. Deif played a pivotal role in developing Hamas’s network of tunnels and bomb-making capabilities, earning a spot at the top of Israel’s most wanted list for decades.
Legacy and Impact
Deif’s wife, seven-month-old son, and three-year-old daughter were killed in an Israeli air raid in 2014. He survived seven previous Israeli assassination attempts, the most recent in 2021, which earned him significant respect and fame among many Palestinians. The Israeli military considered him a key figure in planning the October 7 attacks on southern Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,139 people and the capture of more than 200 others.
On the same day as the October 7 attacks, Deif broadcast an audio tape naming the raid “Al-Aqsa Flood,” framing it as retaliation for Israeli raids at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque, Islam’s third holiest site. Netanyahu’s government has vowed to kill all three leaders involved in the planning, including Yahya Sinwar, Deif, and Marwan Issa, who was reportedly killed by Israel in March.
The death of Mohammed Deif marks a significant moment in Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hamas. While Israeli leaders hail this as a crucial victory in their campaign against Hamas, the long-term implications for the region remain uncertain. The airstrike’s high civilian toll underscores the complex and tragic nature of the conflict, as both sides continue to grapple with the consequences of their actions.
