Israeli television has broadcast the first new photo in years of the secretive commander of Hamas’ military wing – giving rise to hope that perhaps the IDF is closing in on the man known as ‘The Shadow’.
Muhammad Deif is the leader of the Qassam Brigades, who were behind the October 7 terror attack.
The new photo of him was also obtained in Gaza, The Times of Israel said.
It was unclear when it was taken, but shows Deif significantly older than the previously shared photo of him.
Deif has been on Israel’s most wanted list since 1995, and has survived at least seven Israeli assassination attempts, The Messenger reported – most recently in May 2021.
Deif is believed to have lost both legs and an arm the years of attempts on his life, and to now use a wheelchair: the new photo also shows him seemingly missing an eye.
A new photo apparently shows Muhammad Deif, the leader of the Qassam Brigades. It is unclear when it was taken, but was found in Gaza, Channel 12 reported
The previous – also undated – photo of Deif shows a much younger and slimmer man, with dark hair
The terrorist leader narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in 2014, but the strike missed him and killed instead his wife, infant son and three-year-old daughter.
The other assassination attempts took place in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2006, the last of which was believed to have resulted in the loss of his legs.
IDF troops found wheelchairs they believe were used by Deif in a tunnel network uncovered in the Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City.
A new video, however, has reportedly been found in Gaza – although not made public – showing him walking on two feet, but with a limp.
Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, an IDF spokesman, would not comment when asked by The Times of Israel whether the photo suggested they were getting closer to finding him.
Deif is one of the key targets for the IDF, as they seek to root out and destroy Hamas’ top leadership.
He is believed to have been involved in the planning and execution of a large number of terror attacks, including many bus bombings in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Ruins of Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, are pictured on Christmas Eve following an Israeli air strike
Firefighters are seen struggling to quell a blaze in Gaza City on Wednesday
Deif was one of four Hamas leaders with a bounty on their heads
Deif’s importance is emphasized by his appearance on fliers dropped by IDF forces over Gaza in early December, offering a bounty for any information leading to the capture of four top Hamas officials.
Top of the list was Yahya Sinwar – the leader of Hamas in Gaza.
Israeli forces offered $400,000 for information on Sinwar, and $300,000 for information on his brother, Muhammed Sinwar, who commands the terror group’s southern brigade
They pledged $200,000 for information on Rafa’a Salameh, the commander of Hamas’s Khan Younis battalion; and $100,000 for information on Deif.
So far none of the senior commanders have been caught or killed in nearly three months of fighting.
Gaza’s officials say more than 21,000 people have been killed, and 55,000 injured.