It has been four months and eight days since Israel announced that Mohammed Deif, the de facto military leader of Hamas, was killed in an airstrike on Khan Yunis in Gaza. The announcement of Deif’s death drew significant attention, both within Israel and internationally, as he was high on the list of extremists targeted by both the U.S. and European security services.
The 58-year-old Deif, nicknamed “The Guest” for his habit of frequently changing hideouts, was considered by Tel Aviv to be the mastermind behind Hamas’s Qassam Brigades. These elite forces spearheaded the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israeli territory, spreading terror and destruction. The announcement of Deif’s death was made officially by former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who famously used his black marker to cross out Deif’s name from a target list prominently displayed in his office.
The Enigmatic “Guest”
Known for his obsession with evading capture and assassination, Deif earned his nickname by constantly relocating his hideouts. Hamas neither denied nor confirmed Deif’s death, leaving the matter shrouded in mystery.
This brings us to today, where the International Criminal Court (ICC) has included Deif’s name in a preliminary investigation into potential arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant. The ICC accuses Deif of crimes against humanity, effectively reviving the “ghost” of Deif in the legal sphere.
According to a source from The Hague, despite four months of investigative efforts since Deif’s alleged death, the ICC’s special team failed to gather conclusive evidence of his demise. Consequently, the proceedings against him continue as if he were alive.
Deif’s Role and Actions
Over more than three decades, Deif climbed the ranks of Hamas, developing an extensive network of tunnels and bomb-making expertise that made him one of Israel’s most wanted figures. He is believed to be responsible for the deaths of dozens of Israelis in suicide bombings.
Deif, along with two other Hamas leaders, formed a military council that orchestrated the October 7, 2023, attack—the deadliest in Israel’s history. The assault resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the capture of over 250 hostages. This attack triggered Israel’s devastating military campaign in Gaza, which has since claimed the lives of more than 39,400 Palestinians.
