When an opportunity came today for Israel to take out the leading Hamas member and head of the Al-Qassam Brigades, Mohammed Deif, it could not afford to pass it up. It’s unclear yet whether Deif was in fact killed in the strike, which took place near the city of Khan Yunis in the Gaza Strip.
Deif is arguably the most elusive Hamas leader. He joined Hamas as a teenager shortly after the organisation was established in 1987, and was arrested by Israel and held for 16 months in 1989. He has since become one of the most powerful and influential figures in the terror organisation and played a pivotal role in turning it into the mighty force it has become.
Mohammed Deif has become one of the most powerful and influential figures in the terror organisation
Deif founded Hamas’s military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades. He masterminded the establishment of offensive tunnels from Gaza into Israeli territory and the build-up of Hamas’s rocket capabilities.
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