New Delhi, October 10: As violence erupted in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, a shadowy figure emerged as the mastermind behind the unprecedented Hamas attacks on Israel. Mohammed Deif, often dubbed the "new Osama Bin Laden," commands the military wing of the Palestinian militant group Hamas. Deif orchestrated the shocking incursion that left over 1,600 people dead and triggered a massive Israeli response. Mohammed Deif, born as Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al-Masri in a Gaza refugee camp during the 1960s, grew up in a Palestinian refugee family.

Multiple reports suggest that he studied at Gaza's Islamic University and became an active member of the Muslim Brotherhood. Hamas was founded in the late 1980s during the first Palestinian intifada, and Deif joined its ranks. Deif is known for maintaining a low profile, often hiding in underground tunnels or moving between safe houses each night. His ability to evade capture earned him the nickname "The Guest" as he spent nights under different roofs. 'You Are Responsible For This Bloodshed': Russian Hacker Group Killnet Targets Israel Government Website Amid Israel-Palestine War.

Role in Hamas

Deif's involvement in Hamas marked the beginning of a violent chapter. He was responsible for orchestrating numerous suicide bombings inside Israel, targeting civilians, soldiers, and settlers. His actions were a response to the Oslo Peace Accords, which he saw as a betrayal of Palestinian resistance. Deif's expertise in bomb-making and military strategy became apparent as he rose through the ranks of the Qassam Brigades, Hamas's military wing. Israel Allegedly Drops Poisonous White Phosphorus Bombs in Gaza After Hamas Attack, Video Surfaces.

He played a key role in developing Hamas's rudimentary rocket technology, which they now possess in large quantities. In 2002, Deif assumed leadership of the al-Qassam Brigades following the assassination of its previous leader. Under his leadership, the group intensified its attacks on Israel, targeting settlers, soldiers in the occupied territories, buses in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, and conducting rocket barrages.

Multiple Assassination Attempts

Deif's notoriety made him a prime target for Israeli intelligence agencies. He survived several assassination attempts, with five of them resulting in the loss of both hands and legs, an eye, and the tragic death of his wife and two children. Despite these injuries, he has become known as the "cat with nine lives."

The New Osama Bin Laden

Declared a terrorist by the United States, Deif's leadership and strategic prowess have drawn comparisons to Osama Bin Laden. Like Bin Laden, he possesses a penchant for theatrics, as evident in the recent Hamas attacks on Israel. His ability to plan and execute large-scale operations, such as infiltrating over 1,000 Hamas militants into Israel, has solidified his reputation as a ruthless commander.

In the recent Hamas attack, Deif's voice resurfaced as he called for the expulsion of occupiers and the demolition of walls, vowing to hold the enemy accountable. The attack resulted in the infiltration of hundreds of Hamas fighters into Israel, taking hostages and wreaking havoc. As the conflict persists, Mohammed Deif remains a shadowy yet central figure, steering the course of Hamas's military strategy and shaping the trajectory of the Israel-Palestine conflict.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 10, 2023 02:08 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).