Produced by: Tarun Mishra
Designed by: Manoj Kumar
Mohammed Deif, the leader of the Hamas militant group's military wing, is often referred to as "The Guest", a nickname derived from his nom de guerre, as "Deif" translates to "guest" in Arabic. Additionally, he is also known as "the cat with nine lives" due to his exceptional ability to escape Israeli assassination attempts, earning a reputation for his remarkable survival.
In a latest broadcast message, Mohammed Deif issued a chilling warning to Israel, stating that they would be "held to account" for their actions. The war has already taken a tragic toll, with more than 1,200 Israeli casualties and 950 Palestinian fatalities, intensifying an already devastating conflict. Over 1500 bodies of Hamas militants have also been found near the border areas of Gaza.
According to a Reuters source with close ties to Hamas, the decision to plan the attack was a collaborative effort between Mohammed Deif, who leads Hamas's Al Qassam Brigades, and Yehya Sinwar, the Gaza leader of Hamas. However, it was evident that one of them, Deif, served as the principal architect of the operation, and only a select few Hamas leaders were privy to the operation's details, the agency reported.
Born as Mohammad Masri in 1965 within the Khan Yunis Refugee Camp, established after the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, he later adopted the name Mohammed Deif upon joining Hamas during the First Intifada, which commenced in 1987.
Deif's educational journey led him to attain a degree in science from the Islamic University in Gaza, where he delved into subjects such as physics, chemistry, and biology. He also displayed an artistic inclination, actively participating in the university's entertainment committee and even taking the stage in comedic performances.
As he ascended through the ranks of Hamas, Mohammed Deif played a pivotal role in enhancing the group's tunnel networks and bomb-making capabilities. For decades, he has remained at the top of Israel's most-wanted list, being held personally accountable for orchestrating numerous suicide bombings resulting in the deaths of numerous Israelis.
For Mohammed Deif, remaining hidden from the public eye was a matter of life and death, as he had suffered severe injuries, including the loss of an eye and serious leg injuries during Israeli assassination attempts.
In 2014, tragedy struck Mohammed Deif as an Israeli airstrike claimed the lives of his wife, 7-month-old son, and 3-year-old daughter. His survival while leading Hamas' armed wing has elevated him to the status of a Palestinian folk hero. Deif is often seen in videos wearing a mask or partially obscured, and avoids modern digital technology like smartphones.
Mohammed Deif has also opposed the Oslo Accords, considering them a deep betrayal of the Palestinian resistance movement. He has consistently sought to challenge Israel's independence and has played a prominent role in previous violent actions against the state.
During his early years with Hamas, Mohammed Deif shared a prison cell with Ghazi Hamad, now a Hamas politburo member. From the outset, Deif's focus was on the military track, which has been evident throughout his involvement with the organisation.