On the first anniversary of the martyrdom of Mohammed al-Deif, legendary commander of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the Palestinian resistance reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the path of armed struggle and liberation, vowing to continue exacting heavy losses on the Israeli occupation forces until Palestine is free.

Abu Obeida, the spokesman for the Qassam Brigades—the military wing of Hamas—issued a powerful tribute to al-Deif, calling him a “timeless symbol of Palestinian resistance” whose legacy continues to inspire freedom fighters across the region and the world.

Speaking through a series of posts on Telegram, Abu Obeida declared that “the blood of Mohammed al-Deif, and his fellow commanders, has forever marked the course of the liberation struggle.” He emphasized that al-Deif’s decades of sacrifice, culminating in his martyrdom, served as both a testament and a roadmap for the liberation of Jerusalem and all of Palestine.

“His Spirit Haunts the Occupation”

Abu Obeida stated that al-Deif's legacy "will continue to haunt the war criminals, invaders, and occupiers," declaring that the heroic commander had, with his blood and that of his comrades, “written the final chapter in the long journey of liberation.”

He recalled how the Al-Aqsa Intifada and the recent Operation Al-Aqsa Flood—led by al-Deif and his companions—shattered the myth of Israeli invincibility and reignited global solidarity with the Palestinian cause. “The Zionist regime's deterrence has collapsed once and for all,” Abu Obeida said.

Honoring a Commander of the Ummah

Hamas earlier described Mohammed al-Deif as a founding architect of what it called “the most formidable resistance force in modern times,” praising his 30-year legacy of relentless struggle against a brutal occupation. “He lives on as a name that shakes the very foundation of the Zionist entity,” the movement stated.

Al-Deif’s leadership helped elevate the Qassam Brigades to a powerful resistance force capable of striking deep into occupied territories and inflicting strategic damage on the Israeli army. Under his direction, operations such as Al-Aqsa Flood, launched on October 7, 2023, demonstrated the resilience and capability of the Palestinian resistance, resulting in hundreds of Israeli soldiers killed and the capture of over 240 Israelis.

Abu Obeida emphasized that the sacrifices made by al-Deif and his comrades—including Marwan Issa, Ghazi Abu Tamaa, Raed Thabet, and Rafi Salama—will never be in vain. “They joined the caravan of martyrs, and their path will be continued by thousands who carry the torch of resistance.”

Resistance Will Intensify, Captives May Increase

Abu Obeida also renewed warnings to the Israeli occupation, promising a protracted war of attrition that would drain its forces from Gaza’s north to its south. He hinted that the resistance may soon capture more Israeli soldiers and asserted that daily losses will continue to mount.

He directly addressed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—currently under indictment by the International Criminal Court—warning him that his insistence on continuing the ground invasion of Gaza is a "historic blunder" that will deepen the Zionist entity’s strategic failure.

A Global Symbol of Defiance

Al-Deif, whose identity remained shrouded in mystery for years, had become a legend within the Palestinian national movement and an icon of defiance far beyond Gaza. Generations of Palestinians who never saw his face nonetheless rallied behind his leadership and celebrated the victories achieved under his command.

“He will remain a beacon for all who seek freedom, dignity, and liberation,” Abu Obeida said.

As Israeli warplanes continue to pound Gaza—with deadly strikes such as the July 13 raid on the Al-Mawasi area in Khan Yunis—Palestinians across the besieged enclave and the diaspora commemorated al-Deif’s martyrdom not with despair, but with renewed resolve to resist and reclaim their homeland.

In a time of unimaginable suffering, his name resounds not as a memory, but as a rallying cry: The path of resistance continues, until victory or martyrdom. (ILKHA)