Last updated on November 4th, 2023 at 09:57 pm
In the shadows of the Gaza Strip, a mysterious figure looms large, orchestrating acts of terror that reverberate far beyond the conflict-ridden region. This elusive man is Mohammed Deif, known to many as “The F,” the commander of Hamas’s military wing and the mastermind behind their latest and deadliest terror attack. On a fateful Saturday morning, the world got a glimpse of this enigmatic character as he announced the beginning of Operation Al Aqsa Flood, unleashing a wave of terror and tragedy upon Israel.
The Birth of a Terror Mastermind
He was Born as Muhammad Diab Ibrahim al-Masri back in the 1960s. His transformation of Mohammed Deif from a refugee child to a wanted mastermind of terror is a truly chilling tale. He grew up in the Khulus refugee camp and pursued his education at the Islamic University of Gaza. However, long before he embraced terrorism, his interests were in the theatre, not terror. Nevertheless, the First Intifada from 1987 to 1993 marked a turning point in his life. It was during this period that he was arrested and spent 16 months behind bars.
In 1990, Deif joined Hamas, and by 2002, he had taken control of Hamas’s military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades. His involvement in terrorism became deep-rooted. From 1995 onwards, he orchestrated numerous suicide bombings and kidnappings, resulting in the deaths of numerous Israeli soldiers. Deif has consistently been at the forefront of various conflicts, most notably from 2009 to 2021. Consequently, he has been a marked individual for over two decades.
A Man Marked for Death
Mohammed Deif has been the most wanted man in Israel for 26 years, with several attempts to eliminate him. He has miraculously survived five Israeli airstrikes. In 2002, rumors of his death in an Israeli airstrike proved false. The man responsible for countless casualties, however, was not unscathed. Reports indicate that Deif lost an eye and a limb in these assassination attempts.
In 2014, an Israeli airstrike tragically claimed the lives of his wife and infant son. These strikes, intended to take him out, resulted in devastating collateral damage. In 2015, another attempt to eliminate him proved unsuccessful. That same year, the U.S. designated him a global terrorist.
Israel’s last bid to neutralize Deif was in 2021, but he continues to evade capture. He maintains a low profile, rarely seen or heard. There are only a few images of him, and he did not even attend the funeral of his own family. In-laws have reportedly met him only once, during his marriage to their daughter.
The Enigmatic Figure Known as “The Guest”
Israeli intelligence reports suggest that Deif operates under the codename “the guest.” This is an ironic moniker for a man who brings mayhem to those he encounters. His elusive nature only adds to the mystique surrounding him.
Recently, reports emerged that he lost his father and brother in an Israeli airstrike that obliterated his house. While his whereabouts remain unknown, it is believed that he is still in Gaza, maintaining his control over the Hamas military wing.
Mohammed Deif: The Living Martyr of Hamas
To the world, Mohammed Deif is a dreaded terrorist and a mass murderer. Some even compare him to the likes of Al-Qaeda’s Osama Bin Laden. However, within Hamas, he is known as “The Living Martyr,” alluding to the numerous unsuccessful attempts on his life. His resilience in the face of danger is unsettling, as he continues to advocate for violence in pursuit of his cause.
Mahatma Gandhi once famously said, “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.” But the one-eyed Hamas mastermind, Mohammed Deif, seems resolute in his mission to perpetuate the cycle of violence and destruction. His actions have left indelible scars on the region, reminding the world of the consequences of unchecked hatred and extremism.
