Described as a shadowy figure and known by his nickname, The Guest, Mohammed Deif is the leader of the Hamas’ military wing. He is known for his tactical thinking and reportedly planned the deadliest and most daring attack against Israel in 50 years on Saturday
In the heart of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, one enigmatic figure looms large: Mohammed Deif, Hamas’ military commander, known for his ruthless tactics and relentless pursuit of vengeance. As the violence escalates, Deif’s controversial role takes center stage, raising questions about the lengths to which he’ll go to achieve his goals.
A Life Shrouded in Mystery
Born as Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al-Masri in the Khan Younis refugee camp in Gaza during the 1960s, Deif’s journey from obscurity to infamy is nothing short of astonishing. His early life gave no hint of the calculated strategist he would become. Little is known about him, with only a single photograph in existence. Friends describe him as gentle and possessing a good sense of humor.
Deif’s path took a radical turn when he joined Hamas in his twenties. He gained notoriety for orchestrating suicide bombings in the 1990s, a response to the Oslo Peace Accords that Hamas saw as a loss of Palestinian territory.
Mastermind Behind Hamas’ Arsenal
Deif’s notoriety extended to bomb-making, a skill he learned from “The Engineer” Yahya Ayyash, who was assassinated by Israel in 1996. His expertise led to the development of Hamas’ rudimentary rockets, which have since become a significant threat to Israel.
Responsible for high-impact attacks, including targeting settlers, soldiers, buses in Jerusalem, and Tel Aviv, Deif personally oversaw rocket barrages. He remained steadfast in his refusal to cease hostilities.
In 2002, Deif assumed leadership of the Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, following the assassination of its previous leader, Salah Shehade.
The Elusive Phantom: Hiding in Plain Sight
Deif prefers to stay in the shadows, earning him the nickname “The Guest” for his habit of seeking refuge under various roofs. Rarely seen in public, he only emerges to deliver ominous messages to Israel. His elusiveness has made him a top target for Israel’s intelligence and security agencies, surviving multiple assassination attempts that left him severely wounded.
Ronen Bergman, an Israeli journalist, aptly described Deif as a “bulletproof legend,” having endured attacks that cost him both legs, an arm, an eye, and the lives of his wife and two children. Some sources suggest he is wheelchair-bound.
“The New Osama bin Laden”
Declared a terrorist by the United States in 2009, Deif is a formidable commander, likened to Osama bin Laden for his ruthlessness and strategic prowess. His love for theatrics, evident in the recent attack on Israel, is traced back to his days in an acting troupe at the Islamic University of Gaza.
In the midst of the ongoing conflict, Deif’s influence remains undeniable. He orchestrates daring infiltrations and urges Arab populations to rise against Israel. As the world watches, the controversial legacy of Mohammed Deif continues to unfold, leaving a trail of destruction and uncertainty in its wake.
“He also urged Israeli Arabs to take up arms, and encourages Arabs on Israel’s borders to join in the attack. “Today, the people are bringing back the revolution and reviving the March of return,” he said, asking Arabs in Jerusalem and inside Israel, in the Negev, the Galilee and the Triangle area to “set the earth on fire under the feet of the occupiers.”
