Hamas confirms death of Oct 7 terror mastermind Mohammed Deif

Hamas on Thursday confirmed the death of its military chief Mohammed Deif, whose killing Israel had announced last year in an air strike in Gaza.

“The Al-Qassam Brigades announce to our great people the martyrdom of a group of distinguished fighters and heroic commanders […] commander Mohammed Deif, chief of staff of the Al-Qassam Brigades (and) commander Marwan Issa, deputy chief of staff,” the armed wing of Hamas announced.

Mohammed Deif, one of the masterminds of the Oct. 7, 2023 assault on southern Israel, was an elusive figure who had a long and secretive career in the Palestinian group and had been sought by Israel for decades.

Rising up the Hamas ranks over 30 years, Deif developed the group’s network of tunnels and its bomb-making expertise. He had topped Israel’s most wanted list for decades, held personally responsible for the deaths of dozens of Israelis in suicide bombings.