Editing Mohammed Deif (section)

== Head of the al-Qassam Brigades ==
Deif became the head of the al-Qassam Brigades after Israel assassinated [[Salah Shehade]] in July 2002.<ref name="bbc20022">{{cite news |last=Asser |first=Martin |date=26 September 2002 |title=Profile: Hamas commander Mohammed Deif |publisher=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2284055.stm |access-date=15 November 2012 |archive-date=30 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090830165314/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2284055.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Between July 2006 and November 2012, effective command was exercised by Deif's deputy, [[Ahmed Jabari]], after Deif was seriously wounded in an Israeli assassination attempt.<ref name="cnbctv18-20231011" /><ref>{{Cite news |title=Hamas's deadly "phantom": the man behind the attacks |first=Nicolas |last=Pelham |date=20 October 2023 |newspaper=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/1843/2023/10/20/hamass-deadly-phantom-the-man-behind-the-attacks |access-date=7 November 2023 |issn=0013-0613 |archive-date=7 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231107203907/https://www.economist.com/1843/2023/10/20/hamass-deadly-phantom-the-man-behind-the-attacks |url-status=live }}</ref>

As the overall commander of the al-Qassam Brigades, he is thought to be the main organizer of the [[2006 Gaza cross-border raid|raid]] into Israel that killed two IDF soldiers and captured [[Gilad Shalit]] in June 2006, as well as the five-year operations to deceive [[Mossad]] and [[Shin Bet]] about Shalit's location in Gaza.<ref name=harel /> He was also in charge of the al-Qassam Brigades' procurement of weapons from abroad, overseeing the transfer and manufacturing of Iranian [[Fajr-5]] rocket components into Gaza, and maintained correspondence with Iranian [[Quds Force]] commander [[Esmail Qaani]] and his predecessor [[Qasem Soleimani]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/461155/Iranian-general-sends-letters-to-Palestinian-commanders|title=Iranian general sends letters to Palestinian commanders|date=21 May 2021|website=Tehran Times|access-date=17 February 2024|archive-date=17 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240217011100/https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/461155/Iranian-general-sends-letters-to-Palestinian-commanders|url-status=live}}</ref> In a letter, Soleimani had called Deif a "dear brother" and a "living martyr".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.memri.org/reports/irgc-qods-force-commander-qassem-soleimani-letter-sent-prior-his-death-hamas-military-wing|title=IRGC Qods Force Commander Qassem Soleimani In Letter Sent Prior To His Death To Hamas Military Wing Commander Muhammad Deif: Despite The Pressures And Siege, Iran Will Never Abandon Palestine|website=MEMRI|date=26 May 2020|access-date=24 June 2024|archive-date=3 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803165106/https://www.memri.org/reports/irgc-qods-force-commander-qassem-soleimani-letter-sent-prior-his-death-hamas-military-wing|url-status=live}}</ref>

In September 2015, the [[US Department of State]] added Deif and three other Hamas leaders to the American list of [[Specially Designated Global Terrorist]]s.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Arch-terrorists Kuntar, Deif put on US blacklist |date=8 September 2015 |publisher=Associated Press |url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/arch-terrorists-kuntar-deif-put-on-us-blacklist/ |access-date=7 November 2023 |work=Times of Israel |language=en-US |archive-date=27 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127175410/https://www.timesofisrael.com/arch-terrorists-kuntar-deif-put-on-us-blacklist/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Terrorist Designations of Yahya Sinwar, Rawhi Mushtaha, and Muhammed Deif |date=8 September 2015 |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2015/09/246686.htm |access-date=7 November 2023 |website=U.S. Department of State |archive-date=21 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170121124014/https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/Prs/ps/2015/09/246686.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> In December 2023, the European Union added him to their terror blacklist in 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |agency=AFP |date=8 December 2023 |title=EU adds Hamas military chiefs Mohammed Deif, Marwan Issa to terror blacklist |work=[[Times of Israel]] |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/eu-adds-hamas-military-chiefs-mohammed-deif-marwan-issa-to-terror-blacklist/ |access-date=17 December 2023 |archive-date=11 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211233835/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/eu-adds-hamas-military-chiefs-mohammed-deif-marwan-issa-to-terror-blacklist/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Shadow Unit ===
Deif also created the "Shadow Unit" within the al-Qassam Brigades. Among the unit's duties are "to guard enemy captives held by the al-Qassam Brigades, to hide them and to thwart enemy attempts to find them." An al-Qassam video said that the unit "treats enemy captives honorably, in line with the [[Islamic military jurisprudence|rules of Islam]], and provides for their needs, taking into account the treatment given to the prisoners of the resistance in the hands of the enemy."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.newarab.com/analysis/why-did-hamas-shadow-unit-reveal-itself |title=Why did the Hamas 'shadow unit' reveal itself? |website=The New Arab |date=5 January 2016 |access-date=22 April 2024 |archive-date=22 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422201907/https://www.newarab.com/analysis/why-did-hamas-shadow-unit-reveal-itself |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Strategy ===
{{See also|Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel|Palestinian tunnel warfare in the Gaza Strip}}
Deif has been credited with transforming the al-Qassam Brigades from a cluster of amateur [[Clandestine cell system|cells]] to organized military units, described as an 'army,' that are capable of invading Israel.<ref name="afr20231026" /> His military strategy has been dubbed the 'above and below' strategy, built on [[Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel|attacking Israeli territory with rockets]] and [[Palestinian tunnel warfare in the Gaza Strip|constructing underground tunnels]] to be used in infiltrating the [[Gaza–Israel barrier|border with Israel]].<ref name="france24-20231010" />

=== Israel–Hamas war ===
{{Main|Gaza war|2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel}}

As the highest-ranking leader of the al-Qassam Brigades, Deif was involved in orchestrating the [[2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel|surprise attack on Israel]] that commenced the [[Gaza war]], which, according to a source close to Hamas, he began planning in the lead up to the 2021 Israel–Palestine crisis, motivated by scenes of Israeli forces storming [[Al-Aqsa|al-Aqsa Mosque]] during [[Ramadan]].<ref name="reuters20231010" /> According to [[France 24]], he was the mastermind behind the attack on 7 October.<ref name="france24-20231103">{{Cite web |date=3 November 2023 |title=Who's who: Top Hamas leaders on Israel's radar |first=Marc |last=Daou |url=https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20231103-most-wanted-the-hamas-leaders-on-israel-s-radar |access-date=17 December 2023 |publisher=France 24 |language=en |archive-date=14 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214032845/https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20231103-most-wanted-the-hamas-leaders-on-israel-s-radar |url-status=live}}</ref> The decision to launch the attack was taken jointly by Deif and [[Yahya Sinwar]], the leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sanz |first=Juan Carlos |date=18 October 2023 |title=Mohamed Deif and Yahya Sinwar, the masterminds of the Hamas attack who top Israel's most wanted list |url=https://english.elpais.com/international/2023-10-18/mohamed-deif-and-yahya-sinwar-the-masterminds-of-the-hamas-attack-who-top-israels-most-wanted-list.html |access-date=19 November 2023 |website=EL PAÍS English |language=en-us |archive-date=19 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119160901/https://english.elpais.com/international/2023-10-18/mohamed-deif-and-yahya-sinwar-the-masterminds-of-the-hamas-attack-who-top-israels-most-wanted-list.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="lemonde20231011">{{Cite news |date=11 October 2023 |title=Mohammed Deif, Hamas's shadow strategist |language=en |work=Le Monde |first=Hélène |last=Sallon |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2023/10/11/mohammed-deif-hamas-s-shadow-strategist_6165256_4.html |access-date=19 November 2023 |archive-date=19 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119165414/https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2023/10/11/mohammed-deif-hamas-s-shadow-strategist_6165256_4.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

After the attack, a [[Reuters]] report stated that over the previous two years, Deif deceived Israel into believing Hamas was not interested in another round of conflict.<ref name="reuters20231010" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=11 October 2023 |title=How Mastermind Mohammed Deif Planned Hamas' Attack on Israel From the Shadows |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/world/how-mastermind-mohammed-deif-planned-hamas-attack-on-israel-from-the-shadows-article-104343052 |access-date=6 November 2023 |website=TimesNow |language=en |archive-date=6 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106184911/https://www.timesnownews.com/world/how-mastermind-mohammed-deif-planned-hamas-attack-on-israel-from-the-shadows-article-104343052 |url-status=live}}</ref> This deception campaign involved a decision not to participate in the clashes between Israel and the [[Palestinian Islamic Jihad]] in [[2022 Gaza–Israel clashes|August 2022]] and [[May 2023 Gaza–Israel clashes|May 2023]], putting Israel under the impression that Hamas "was not ready for a fight" and could be contained by providing economic incentives to Gazan workers.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Nakhoul |first1=Samia |last2=Saul |first2=Jonathan |date=10 October 2023 |title=How Hamas duped Israel as it planned devastating attack |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/how-israel-was-duped-hamas-planned-devastating-assault-2023-10-08/ |access-date=6 November 2023 |archive-date=9 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009020650/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/how-israel-was-duped-hamas-planned-devastating-assault-2023-10-08/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

On the day of the attack, Deif gave an audio address, his first since 2021, justifying it as a response to the "[[2022 Al-Aqsa clashes|desecration]]" of the [[al-Aqsa Mosque]] and the killing and wounding of hundreds of Palestinians in 2023.<ref name="sky20231010" /><ref name="france24-20231019">{{Cite web |date=19 October 2023 |title=Hamas masterminds key targets of Israel's 'dead man walking' threats |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20231019-hamas-masterminds-key-targets-of-israel-s-dead-man-walking-threats |access-date=19 November 2023 |website=France 24 |language=en |archive-date=19 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231119160900/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20231019-hamas-masterminds-key-targets-of-israel-s-dead-man-walking-threats |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="TOI1" /> He called on Palestinians and Arab Israelis to "expel the occupiers and demolish the walls".<ref name="TOI1">{{cite news |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-commander-says-attacks-are-in-defense-of-al-aqsa-claims-5000-missiles-fired |title=Hamas commander says attacks are in defense of Al-Aqsa, claims 5,000 missiles fired |first=Gianluca|last=Pacchiani|access-date=7 October 2023 |date=7 October 2023 |work=[[The Times of Israel]]|archive-date=7 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007094309/https://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-commander-says-attacks-are-in-defense-of-al-aqsa-claims-5000-missiles-fired/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/article/israel-gaza-hamas-what-we-know.html|title=What We Know About the Hamas Attack and Israel's Response |first1=Ephrat |last1=Livni |first2=Gaya |last2=Gupta|work=The New York Times|date=7 October 2023|accessdate=7 October 2023|archive-date=8 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008143358/https://www.nytimes.com/article/israel-gaza-hamas-what-we-know.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Announcing the start of "[[Operation Al-Aqsa Storm]]," Deif said that "In light of the continuing crimes against our people, in light of the orgy of occupation and its denial of international laws and resolutions, and in light of [[United States support for Israel in the Gaza war|American]] and western support, we've decided to put an end to all this so that the enemy understands that he can no longer revel without being held to account."<ref name="reuters20231010" /><ref name="ft20231008" />

On 20 May 2024, a request for an arrest warrant against Deif and four other Palestinian and Israeli leaders was filed by the [[Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court]] (ICC) on several counts of [[war crime]]s and [[crimes against humanity]], as part of [[International Criminal Court investigation in Palestine|its investigation in Palestine]].<ref name="ICC_arrest_warrants_Palestine">{{Cite web |last=Khan |first=Karim A.A |date=20 May 2024 |title=Statement of ICC Prosecutor Karim A.A. Khan KC: Applications for arrest warrants in the situation in the State of Palestine |publisher=International Criminal Court |url=https://www.icc-cpi.int/news/statement-icc-prosecutor-karim-aa-khan-kc-applications-arrest-warrants-situation-state |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520105912/https://www.icc-cpi.int/news/statement-icc-prosecutor-karim-aa-khan-kc-applications-arrest-warrants-situation-state |archive-date=20 May 2024 |access-date=20 May 2024}}</ref><ref name="CNN_ICC_Sinwar_Netanyahu">{{Cite web |last=Kottasová |first=Ivana |date=20 May 2024 |title=Exclusive interview: ICC prosecutor seeks arrest warrants against Sinwar and Netanyahu for war crimes over October 7 and Gaza |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/20/middleeast/icc-israel-hamas-arrest-warrant-war-crimes-intl/index.html |access-date=20 May 2024 |publisher=CNN |language=en |archive-date=20 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520113208/https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/20/middleeast/icc-israel-hamas-arrest-warrant-war-crimes-intl/index.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The effort continued into September 2024, with the prosecutor saying that he was gathering information about Deif's "reported death."<ref>{{cite news |title=ICC prosecutor seeks warrants against Israeli leaders, Sinwar 'with utmost urgency' |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/icc-prosecutor-seeks-warrants-against-israeli-leaders-sinwar-with-utmost-urgency/ |date=10 September 2024 |work=[[The Times of Israel]] |first=Jeremy |last=Sharon}}</ref>{{efn|The prosecutor's jurisdiction ends with the death of the defendant}} On 21 November, the court officially indicted Deif for war crimes, stating that he bore responsibility for mass killings, hostage taking and rape during the 7 October attacks.<ref name="Reuters">{{Cite news |date=21 November 2024 |title=ICC issues arrest warrants for Israel's Netanyahu, Gallant and Hamas leader|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/icc-issues-arrest-warrants-israels-netanyahu-gallant-hamas-leader-2024-11-21/|work=[[Reuters]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=21 November 2024 |title=Arrest warrants issued for Netanyahu, Gallant and Hamas commander over alleged war crimes|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly2exvx944o |work=[[BBC]]}}</ref> The ICC argued that it was "not in a position to determine whether [Deif] has been killed or remains alive" following reports that Deif was killed in an Israeli airstrike on 13 July 2024.<ref name="AJ ICC warrant">{{Cite web |title=ICC issues arrest warrant for Israeli PM Netanyahu for 'war crimes' in Gaza |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/11/21/icc-issues-arrest-warrant-for-israeli-pm-netanyahu-for-war-crimes-in-gaza |access-date=21 November 2024 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref>

On 3 September 2024, the [[United States Department of Justice]] announced criminal charges against Deif and other Hamas officials for their roles in the [[2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel|7 October attack]] on Israel. The charges, which were filed under seal in February 2024, include conspiracy to provide material support to a foreign terrorist organization, conspiracy to murder U.S. nationals, and conspiracy to finance terrorism.<ref>{{cite news |last=Tucker |first=Eric |date=3 September 2024 |title=US charges Hamas leader, other militants in connection with Oct. 7 massacre in Israel |url=https://apnews.com/article/justice-department-hamas-sinwar-87674285aa9b066392953db1310312ca |access-date=3 September 2024 |publisher=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=3 September 2024 |title=US charges Hamas leaders over Oct. 7 attack on Israel |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us-files-criminal-charges-against-hamas-leadership-including-sinwar-2024-09-03/ |access-date=3 September 2024 |publisher=[[Reuters]]}}</ref>