The Palestinian resistance has paid tribute to Mohammed Deif, the longtime commander of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, describing him as one of the most influential military leaders in the history of the Palestinian struggle following his martyrdom during the Al-Aqsa Flood battle.

After decades at the forefront of the resistance against Israeli occupation, Deif leaves behind a legacy that supporters say reshaped the military capabilities of the Palestinian resistance and inspired generations of Palestinians committed to the struggle for liberation.

A Founding Figure of the Palestinian Resistance

Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri, widely known by his nom de guerre Mohammed Deif, was born in 1965 in the Khan Yunis refugee camp in southern Gaza to a family displaced from their homeland during the 1948 Nakba.

Raised under occupation and in the harsh conditions of refugee life, Deif became active in the Islamic movement while studying science at the Islamic University of Gaza, where he participated in the Islamic Bloc before joining the Hamas Movement at a young age.

He took part in the First Intifada, which erupted in 1987, and was arrested by Israeli occupation forces in 1989 during a sweeping campaign targeting Hamas members. After spending approximately 18 months in prison, he was released in 1991 and joined the emerging ranks of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.

Architect of the Qassam Brigades

As many of the movement's early commanders were assassinated by Israeli forces, Deif assumed increasingly prominent military responsibilities.

Following the assassination of prominent commander Imad Aqel in 1993, Deif became one of the principal leaders of the Brigades, overseeing resistance operations in both Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

Over the following decades, he played a central role in expanding the Brigades' operational capabilities, developing military manufacturing programs, producing locally made rockets, and establishing the extensive tunnel network that became a defining feature of Palestinian resistance in Gaza.

Supporters credit him with transforming the Brigades from a small underground force into one of the region's most organized armed resistance movements.

Surviving Years of Israeli Assassination Attempts

Throughout his leadership, Israel repeatedly attempted to assassinate Deif, making him one of the most wanted Palestinian figures.

He survived numerous airstrikes despite sustaining serious injuries in several attacks.

One of the most devastating assassination attempts occurred during Israel's 2014 military offensive on Gaza, when an Israeli airstrike targeted his home, killing members of his family, including his wife and son.

Despite the personal loss, Deif continued directing resistance operations, reinforcing his image among Palestinians as a commander who remained committed to the struggle despite immense sacrifice.

Leadership During the Al-Aqsa Flood Operation

On October 7, 2023, Deif emerged in a rare public audio message announcing the launch of the Al-Aqsa Flood operation, describing it as a response to Israeli actions in occupied Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa Mosque, and against the Palestinian people.

According to Hamas, Deif personally oversaw the planning and execution of the operation alongside members of the movement's military council.

Supporters regard the operation as a turning point that challenged Israel's military assumptions and demonstrated the resilience and capabilities of the Palestinian resistance despite the overwhelming military campaign that followed.

Symbol of Resistance

Known for maintaining an exceptionally low public profile, Deif rarely appeared in public and communicated primarily through occasional audio messages.

His ability to evade Israeli intelligence for decades earned him legendary status among Palestinians, who viewed him as a symbol of steadfastness and determination.

Throughout successive confrontations, including the 2021 "Sword of Jerusalem" battle, Deif was credited with directing military strategies that supporters say established new deterrence equations against Israel.

Legacy

Following his martyrdom, Palestinian factions and supporters have described Mohammed Deif as one of the defining figures of the modern Palestinian resistance movement.

For many Palestinians, his life embodied decades of armed struggle against Israeli occupation, while his leadership left a lasting imprint on the military development of the resistance.

Supporters say that although Deif has been martyred, the principles he championed and the legacy he built will continue to inspire future generations of Palestinians in their pursuit of freedom, justice, and national liberation. (ILKHA)