Synopsis
On Jan 31, Hamas confirmed the death of its military chief, Mohammed Deif, killed by Israeli forces in Gaza. Al-Qassam Brigades spokesperson stated that the legacy of Deif and other leaders would continue despite these losses. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with a ceasefire in effect since January 19.Key Takeaways
- Mohammed Deif confirmed dead by Hamas.
- Israeli military claims responsibility for the killing.
- Marwan Issa, deputy chief of staff, also reported killed.
- Hamas vows to continue resistance against Israel.
- Significant casualties reported during the ongoing conflict.
Gaza, Jan 31 (NationPress) The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military arm of Hamas, has confirmed the death of its military chief, Mohammed Deif, who was reportedly killed by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip.
In a statement released on Thursday, Abu Obeida, the brigades' spokesperson, also announced the death of Marwan Issa, the deputy chief of staff for Al-Qassam, according to reports from Xinhua news agency.
"The enemy has taken two of our great leaders from us, but their legacy and spirit of resistance will endure," Obeida stated.
He emphasized that the killings of Hamas military leaders will not deter the Palestinian struggle against Israel.
Further details were not disclosed.
On August 1, 2024, Israeli military sources claimed responsibility for Deif’s death in an airstrike targeting southern Gaza's Khan Younis.
Israel has labeled Deif as a key planner behind the Hamas assault on southern Israeli towns on October 7, 2023.
Despite Israel's assertions of having killed Deif in July last year, Hamas had only now confirmed this information.
Israeli military officials accused Deif of orchestrating the October 7 attacks, which resulted in the loss of 1,200 lives and the taking of 251 hostages.
Deif was regarded as the second-highest official within Hamas in Gaza, following Yahya Sinwar, the group's territorial leader, who was also killed by Israeli forces last year.
In May 2024, the International Criminal Court announced it was pursuing arrest warrants for Deif and other senior Hamas leaders, citing "reasonable grounds" to believe they were accountable for the October 7 events that claimed around 1,200 Israeli lives.
Deif was instrumental in the development of tunnels that facilitated Hamas fighters' access to Israel from Gaza. He was also credited with the creation of Hamas’s infamous weapon, the Qassam rocket.
The US reported the death of Al-Qassam’s deputy chief of staff, Marwan Issa, last March.
Issa served as the deputy commander of Hamas's military faction and was recognized as one of the most-wanted individuals by Israel.
The European Union, which designated the Hamas leader as a terrorist, directly connected him to the October 7 attack.
The recent conflict was initiated when Hamas launched an attack against Israel on October 7, 2023.
According to Gaza’s Hamas-run Health Ministry, over 47,460 Palestinians have died during Israel's 15-month military campaign.
A ceasefire between Hamas and Israel commenced on January 19.
Since then, 15 Israeli hostages have been released.
To date, 400 Palestinian detainees—including those serving lengthy sentences for bombings and other offenses as well as minors held without charges—have been freed.
Most of the released individuals have returned to the occupied West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza, while approximately 70 of the most serious offenders have faced deportation.
