Al Jazeera Documentary Reveals Key Details of Mohammad Deif’s Military Career and Qassam Brigades’ Development
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Al Jazeera has broadcast a documentary offering fresh perspectives on the pivotal role of Mohammad Deif and other senior resistance figures in advancing the military industries of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades. The program provided unprecedented details about Deif’s personal life and his strategic contributions.
Mohammad Deif, the Commander-in-Chief of the Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, shared personal details for the first time in the televised program. He stated, “I am your brother in faith, Mohammad Deif. I was born in Khan Yunis in 1965, but the original birthplace of my parents was the village of Kawkba, a small village east of Al-Majdal.” Deif elaborated on his educational background, mentioning his studies at Khan Yunis Secondary School, where he achieved a final exam score of 79.8. He also completed his university education in biology and was involved in artistic activities and acting with the “Al-Aedun” theater group during his student years.
Regarding his entry into the military arena, the Qassam commander explained that his journey began with a message inviting him to join the Palestinian Mujahideen affiliated with the Hamas movement. He also recalled his arrest by the Israeli regime in 1989, based on confessions made during his detention. Deif emphasized that despite intense interrogation, he confessed to nothing before the military court.
The documentary further highlighted Deif’s meetings with the late Sheikh Salah Shehadeh and Zakaria Al-Shurba in prison, where plans for capturing soldiers were formulated. The program also documented his collaborations with Yahya Ayyash and Adnan Al-Ghoul in developing Hamas’s military industries.
Citing Abu Obeida, the commander of the Gaza Brigade of the Qassam Brigades, Al Jazeera reported that Deif prevented senior commanders of the brigades from entering the Gaza government in 2006. The documentary also featured footage of Ismail Haniyeh, Yahya Sinwar, and Deif at a missile production workshop, along with an audio file of a phone conversation between Sinwar and Deif at the moment a ceasefire was announced in 2021.
According to classified documents obtained by the network, the Qassam Brigades’ small council, chaired by Deif, convened in February 2023. Escalating tensions at Al-Aqsa Mosque and the situation of prisoners were identified as key factors in the planning of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood (October 7, 2023). The documentary indicated that the Qassam Brigades began preparations for Operation Al-Aqsa Flood eight months prior to its execution. The decisive decision to carry out the operation was made on October 5, 2023, after Benjamin Netanyahu reneged on previous understandings with mediators.
