Mohammed Deif has been a wanted man by Israel for decades, known for orchestrating deadly attacks against Israeli soldiers and civilians. Despite surviving numerous assassination attempts, including the loss of his family members and his own serious injuries, Deif remains a commanding force within Hamas. He has recently made headlines once again as the International Criminal Court seeks to indict him for his role in a 2023 attack on Israel. Stay up to date on this elusive figure's actions through NDTV.com.
Mohammed Deif: The Elusive Hamas Commander
Mohammed Deif is an infamous Palestinian militant and commander of the Gaza Strip-based terrorist organization Hamas. Known for his ruthlessness and unwavering commitment to the destruction of Israel, Deif has been a high-value target of Israeli intelligence for decades.
Background:
Born in 1965 in the Khan Yunis refugee camp in Gaza, Deif joined Hamas in the early 1990s. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the head of Hamas's military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
Under Deif's leadership, Hamas carried out numerous deadly attacks against Israeli targets, including suicide bombings, rocket attacks, and sniper fire. Deif himself is believed to have masterminded some of the most devastating attacks in Israeli history.
Assassination Attempts and Injuries:
Deif has been the target of multiple Israeli assassination attempts over the years. In 2002, an Israeli airstrike killed his wife and four children. In 2003, he lost an eye and a hand in another airstrike.
Despite these injuries and the loss of his family, Deif has remained a resilient and influential figure within Hamas. He continues to command the organization's military operations and is considered one of its most experienced and capable leaders.
ICC Indictment:
In March 2023, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Deif, accusing him of war crimes for his alleged role in a 2023 attack on Israel. The indictment alleges that Deif ordered the firing of rockets into Israeli civilian areas, causing widespread damage and loss of life.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers:
1. Why is Mohammed Deif so wanted by Israel? A: Deif is considered a terrorist mastermind responsible for numerous attacks against Israeli soldiers and civilians.
2. How has Deif survived multiple assassination attempts? A: Deif has used a combination of tight security, evasive tactics, and prosthetic limbs to avoid capture or death.
3. What is the status of the ICC indictment against Deif? A: The ICC warrant remains active, but it is unlikely that Deif will ever be arrested or extradited to face trial.
4. What is Deif's role within Hamas? A: Deif is the commander of Hamas's military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, and is believed to have significant influence within the organization.
5. What are the implications of the ICC indictment for Deif and Hamas? A: The indictment puts pressure on Hamas to distance itself from Deif and could lead to international scrutiny and sanctions against the organization.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed his confidence that the BJP will emerge victorious in the upcoming assembly elections in West Bengal. He also criticized Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the ruling TMC for their opposition towards the special revision exercise for the voter list. The minister defended the legitimacy of the process and supported the Election Commission, while the opposition claims it is a ploy to manipulate voter lists before the polls.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticised the opposition's manifesto promise of providing government jobs in Bihar if they come into power. Calling it "nonsensical", Shah stated that such a promise is absurd and the opposition knows they will never come to power and will not have to fulfil any promises made. He also pointed out that the opposition's manifesto ignores the development strides made in Bihar, such as electricity and clean water reaching every village.
In an exclusive interview with News18 India, Union Home Minister Amit Shah dismissed Rahul Gandhi's allegations of "vote chori" (vote theft) and assured the people of Bihar that the BJP will take action against every single infiltrator in the country. He also addressed concerns about Nitish Kumar's health and stated that the Bihar CM was holding four rallies a day, proving that there was no question of his health being in poor shape. Additionally, Shah criticized the opposition's attempt to create a negative perception about Nitish Kumar.
In a recent interview with News18 India's "Sabse Bada Dangal Bihar 2025", Union Home Minister Amit Shah confidently stated that the NDA will form a government with an unprecedented two-thirds majority in the upcoming Bihar assembly elections. Shah also vehemently denied any concerns raised by the opposition regarding the health of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, stating that both he and Kumar are holding four rallies a day. This marks a major shift in the political equation in Bihar, as the BJP and JD(U) are contesting an equal number of seats, a first in the state's electoral history.
PM Modi delivered a speech at the Maritime Leaders' Conclave in Mumbai, praising the government's efforts in revolutionizing and modernizing the country's shipping sector. He emphasized the nation's ports as being among the most efficient in the developing world, declaring that India has made significant progress in this area.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who is also the BJP's in-charge for the Bihar polls, has strongly criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his derogatory comments against PM Modi. Pradhan has demanded a public apology from Gandhi for his remarks, stating that they are against basic norms of public discourse. He further added that this reflects the Congress' deep-rooted resentment and frustration towards PM Modi and his leadership. Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi has kicked off his poll campaign in Bihar with a scathing attack on PM Modi, accusing him of "enacting all types of drama" for votes and running the state through remote control.
Elon Musk's xAI has launched Grokipedia, an AI-powered online encyclopedia to rival Wikipedia. Musk aims for the platform to be a "massive improvement" and free from any political bias. While Grokipedia currently sources content from Wikipedia, Musk plans to have all original content by the end of the year. This development adds to Bihar's political landscape, where leaders like Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar have dominated with their OBC politics, while Nitish's developmental narrative has transformed the state's political landscape.
BJP leader Chandrashekhar Bawankule sparked controversy with his statement that party workers' phones and WhatsApp groups are being monitored ahead of local body elections. Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut demanded his arrest, alleging that the phones of several Opposition leaders were also tapped. Bawankule clarified his statement, but the Sena leader questioned the involvement of BJP offices and technology networks, calling it a potentially anti-national act.
The Election Commission (EC) has announced the schedule for Special Summary Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in 12 states and Union Territories (UTs) for the year 2025, excluding Assam due to the ongoing National Register of Citizens (NRC) process. While the BJP has welcomed the announcement, the Congress has raised concerns and questioned the decision. The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) has stated that Assam has a separate provision in citizenship laws and the NRC process must be taken into consideration, causing potential delays in the SIR preparations. Despite the physical closure of banks in Ranchi and Patna, financial services will remain available through digital and self-service platforms, so customers are advised to use online banking and plan any in-branch visits accordingly.
In a step towards promoting ethical governance and preventing corruption, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo administered the Integrity Pledge to officers and officials at the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar. This marked the beginning of the National Vigilance Awareness Week, a nationwide campaign held annually by the Central Vigilance Commission. The theme for this year is "Vigilance: Our Shared Responsibility", emphasizing the role of collective efforts in upholding integrity, transparency, and accountability in public administration. Throughout the week, various activities will be conducted to sensitize employees and citizens on the importance of honesty and integrity in governance.