Did Israel assassinate Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif in Gaza strike?

Israel launched a high-stakes operation on Saturday (July 13) targeting Mohammed Deif, the shadowy leader of Hamas’ military wing, the Qassam Brigades. This strike took place in the al-Mawasi camp, a designated humanitarian sone in southern Gaza, and resulted in the deaths of at least 90 Palestinians and nearly 300 injuries, according to local health officials.

The operation marked yet another dramatic attempt by Israel to eliminate one of its most elusive and wanted adversaries.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conveyed that it was “still not absolutely certain” if Deif or another key target, Rafa Salama, were among the casualties. Despite the uncertainty, Netanyahu’s message was clear: the entire leadership of Hamas is under threat, as Israel intensifies its efforts to dismantle the group’s military capabilities.

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Who is Mohammed Deif?

Mohammed Deif, born in 1965 in the Khan Younis refugee camp set up after the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, has been a central figure in Hamas’ military operations for decades. His birth name is Mohammad Masri, but he adopted the nom de guerre “Deif,” meaning “the guest,” reflecting his tendency to frequently change locations to evade Israeli forces.

Deif is a graduate of the Islamic University in Gaza, where he studied physics, chemistry, and biology. During his time at the university, he was involved in student entertainment activities, showcasing a side of him far removed from his later militant persona.

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Deif joined Hamas during the first Palestinian intifada in 1987. He was arrested by Israel in 1989 and spent 16 months in detention.

Following his release, he rapidly ascended the ranks of Hamas, becoming the head of the Qassam Brigades in 2002 after the Israeli assassination of his predecessor, Salah Shehadeh.

Why is Deif known to be so notorius?

Under Deif’s leadership, the Qassam Brigades significantly expanded their capabilities, particularly in the development of a sophisticated network of tunnels beneath Gaza, which has been crucial for smuggling and military operations.

Deif’s notoriety stems not just from his leadership role but from his direct involvement in planning and executing attacks that have killed scores of Israelis. He is credited with masterminding numerous suicide bombings and other attacks that have inflicted substantial casualties.

Despite surviving multiple assassination attempts by Israel, which left him with severe injuries—including the loss of an eye and significant damage to one leg—Deif remains a formidable figure within Hamas. His ability to evade capture and survive these attempts has turned him into a folk hero among many Palestinians.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas released a rare voice recording of Deif announcing the “Al Aqsa Flood” operation, framing it as retaliation for Israeli actions at Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque. This recording underscored Deif’s influence and the symbolic weight of his public messages, which are infrequent but impactful.

How could Dief’s death impact the Israel-Hamas war?

The potential assassination of Mohammed Deif represents a critical juncture in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Deif’s death, if confirmed, would be the highest-profile assassination of a Hamas leader since the war began. It would signal a significant victory for Israel and could profoundly affect the trajectory of the conflict.

At a news conference, Netanyahu reiterated that all Hamas leaders are “marked for death,” asserting that the elimination of key figures like Deif would bring Hamas closer to accepting a ceasefire deal.

However, the ramifications of Deif’s death could extend beyond immediate military and strategic calculations. Khaled el-Gindy, an analyst specialising in Palestinian affairs with the Middle East Institute, suggests that while Deif’s killing might provide Israel with a short-term victory narrative, it could also harden Hamas’ stance, making ceasefire negotiations more challenging.

“Accepting a cease-fire in that context would seem like a surrender,” el-Gindy told AP, highlighting the psychological and strategic complexities involved.

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Former Israel Defense Forces (IDF) intelligence analysis chief Yossi Kuperwasser posits that Deif’s assassination could have a more significant impact than the killings of other high-profile terrorists like Hezbollah’s military commander Imad Mughniyeh in 2008 or Iran’s global spy chief Qasem Soleimani in 2020.

Speaking to The Jerusalem Post, Kuperwasser argues that Deif’s strategic mind and deep involvement in Hamas’ military operations make him a uniquely irreplaceable figure.

Hamas has already suffered substantial losses during the current conflict, with estimates indicating that the group has lost 60-80 per cent of its forces, including most of its top commanders. In this context, Deif’s leadership is seen as crucial for Hamas’ ability to regroup and rebuild.

Who will replace Dief if he is confirmed dead in the future?

Hamas’ military capabilities have been severely degraded during the ongoing conflict, which began following the October 7 attack orchestrated by Deif and Gaza leader Yahya Sinwar. Israel has identified Deif and Sinwar as the primary architects of the attack, which resulted in the deaths of at least 1,200 people in southern Israel.

The retaliation has been devastating for Gaza, with Palestinian casualties rising significantly.

Should Deif’s death be confirmed, his likely successor would be Mohammed Sinwar, the brother of Gaza Chief Yahya Sinwar. However, Mohammed Sinwar is not viewed as having the same level of military acumen or strategic vision as Deif, which could hinder Hamas’ efforts to regain its former strength.

The loss of such an experienced leader at a time when Hamas is already weakened could impede the group’s ability to effectively coordinate and conduct military operations.

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It is safe to say, the potential death of Mohammed Deif would mark a turning point in the war, affecting the immediate military dynamics of both the Hamas and the IDF response.

With inputs from agencies