09 October 2023 , 22:48
998
0
The horrific Hamas attack on Israel was masterminded by a terrorist dubbed the new Osama Bin Laden.
Mohammed Deif has survived seven assassination attempts and has been Israel's Most Wanted Man for decades. The 58-year-old is permanently confined to a wheelchair after efforts to kill him saw him lose both hands and legs, as well as an eye.
He leads a shadowy existence hiding out in an underground tunnel network he had a hand in building, while also moving to different safe houses every night. Deif was born Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al-Masri in a Gaza refugee camp in 1965. 'Deif' means 'The Guest'.
Deif lives a shadowy existence in a series of underground tunnels and safe houses (Unknown)Deif commands Hamas's military wing, the al-Qassam brigades, and urged Palestinians to "expel the occupiers and demolish the walls" in a recording as his soldiers moved into Israel. He went on to call on followers from other countries to join the fight.
Mkhaimar Abusada, professor of politics at Gaza’s Al-Azhar University, said: "He is exactly like Bin Laden. This is an arch-murderer" The Sun reports, adding he will be "like a god to the young" in the aftermath of the devastating attack.
Israel strikes Lebanon and Gaza as leader warns enemies will 'pay heavy price'
The Palestinian militant group Hamas invaded Israel on Saturday and attacked areas close to the Gaza border in an unprecedented incident amid the decades-long war that has raged between Israel and Palestine. In retaliation, fire rained down from above in the Holy Land as Israel responded with a series of crushing airstrikes.
Follow the Mirror's live blog on the Israel Palestine war here
The militants have said they will kill one Israeli civilian captive any time Israel targets civilians at their homes in Gaza "without prior warning". In response to Israel’s bombardment, the spokesman of Hamas’ armed wing, Abu Obeida, made the threats in an audio released Monday night. Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen warned Hamas against harming any of the hostages, saying: “This war crime will not be forgiven.”
An Israeli embassy spokesperson has told US News network CBS that the number of people killed in the attacks on Israel is now 900. At least 1,200 people overall have died on both sides with intense rocket fire continuing. Three Brits have so far been confirmed dead. The families of Corporal Nathanel Young, 20, Bernard Cowan, 57, and Dan Darlington have all paid tribute to their loved ones.
They are among at least 10 UK nationals feared missing or dead - including Jake Marlowe, 26. Israeli troops are being deployed to the north of the country amid reports of incursions from Lebanon, while Benjamin Netanyahu's government has embarked on a total siege of Gaza, ordering it to be left with "no electricity, no food and no fuel".