Watan-Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al-Masri, widely known as Mohammed Deif, was born in 1965 into a Palestinian refugee family forced out of their village Al-Qubayba inside what became Israel in 1948. His family initially settled in a refugee camp before moving to Khan Younis in southern Gaza.
Coming from a poor background, Deif worked multiple jobs to support his family, including poultry farming and driving. He later studied science at the Islamic University of Gaza, where he became active in student movements, Islamic advocacy, and theater. He played a key role in founding Al-A’idoun (The Returnees), the first Islamic artistic troupe in Palestine.
Ideological Path and Political Involvement
During university, Deif embraced Islamic thought and joined the Muslim Brotherhood. He became a prominent member of Hamas’ student movement before eventually integrating into its military wing.
In 1989, Israeli forces arrested Deif, holding him for 16 months without trial for his alleged role in Hamas’ military activities. Upon his release, Hamas’ armed wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, began making headlines with attacks against Israeli targets.
Rise in Hamas’ Military Leadership
Deif moved to the West Bank alongside other Qassam leaders, where he helped establish the group’s military presence there. He emerged as a key commander following the assassination of Imad Aqel in 1993.
Over the years, Deif orchestrated major military operations, including the 1994 kidnapping of Israeli soldier Nachshon Wachsman. After the 1996 assassination of Hamas bombmaker Yahya Ayyash, Deif planned a series of retaliatory bombings that killed over 50 Israelis.
His involvement in weapons development made him a top target for Israeli intelligence. His ability to evade capture earned him the nickname “The Guest” (Al-Deif)—a reference to his transient nature, frequently moving between safe houses.
Escape, Military Evolution, and Assassination Attempts
- Arrested by the Palestinian Authority in 2000, Deif escaped as the Second Intifada erupted.
- After the 2002 assassination attempt on him, Israel admitted he had “miraculously survived.”
- Five Israeli assassination attempts between 2001 and 2014 severely injured him, reportedly leaving him with permanent disabilities.
- In 2014, an Israeli airstrike in Gaza killed his wife and infant son.
Despite repeated Israeli efforts, Deif continued leading Hamas’ military strategy, enhancing its missile capabilities and attack tunnels.
The Sheikh Jarrah Uprising & Al-Aqsa Flood Operation
During the 2021 protests against forced Palestinian evictions in Sheikh Jarrah, protestors chanted, “We are the men of Mohammed Deif.” Hamas subsequently launched rockets at Israel following Deif’s warning that “the occupation will pay a heavy price.”
On October 7, 2023, Deif announced Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, a large-scale assault on Israel, launching thousands of rockets and breaching the border. He framed the operation as a response to “Israeli crimes, international complicity, and Western support for occupation.”
Death and Legacy
On January 30, 2025, Hamas confirmed Deif’s assassination alongside senior Qassam commanders Marwan Issa, Ghazi Abu Tama’a, Raed Thabet, and Ra’fat Salameh. His death marked the loss of Hamas’ most elusive military leader, yet his legacy as the architect of Hamas’ military strategy remains significant.
International Arrest Warrant
In May 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) sought arrest warrants for Deif, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, and Ismail Haniyeh, alongside Israeli officials Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, charging them with war crimes. Hamas condemned the decision, arguing that it equated “victim and executioner.”
Conclusion
For decades, Mohammed Deif was a shadowy figure who shaped Hamas’ military doctrine and led its fight against Israel. Despite multiple assassination attempts, he remained at the forefront of Hamas’ armed resistance until his death. His influence on Palestinian militant strategy is likely to endure beyond his assassination.
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