![A Hamas Leader's Last Stand](https://cdn.magzter.com/1430147033/1697713828/articles/J-YPqEHqY1697777341815/A-HAMAS-LEADERS-LAST-STAND.jpg)
AS THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES (IDF) step up their assault on the Gaza Strip in the wake of the deadliest-ever Palestinian militant assault on Israel, the murky figure at the heart of Hamas' military wing may be getting ready to make his final stand.
Little is known for certain about Mohammed Deif. That's by design for Hamas' Al-Qassam Military Brigades supreme commander, whose nom de guerre means "guest" in an apparent reference to his frequently shifting location. Deif's elusiveness has allowed him to escape numerous Israeli attempts on his life. But having survived so long, a massive IDF incursion could bring a dramatic end to a bloody game of cat-and-mouse that's dragged on for more than three decades.
"I don't think that a man with his legacy, name and position, and immersed in the culture of steadfastness and martyrdom thinks of leaving his land and battlefield," Khaled Hroub, a professor at Northwestern University in Qatar who has authored books on Hamas' inner workings, tells Newsweek.
"If a ground campaign takes place, and the Israelis managed to get to him, he will fight until the last drop of blood," Hroub adds.
Hamas is fighting to destroy Israel and replace it with an Islamist Palestinian state and Deif's role has been pivotal, not least in masterminding the assault by land, air and sea on October 7 that left at least 1,300 dead in Israel, followed by crushing Israeli airstrikes on Gaza in which casualties exceed 2,200.
Deif has already suffered various injuries in assassination attempts: reportedly losing an eye, part of his arm and his legs. He also lost his wife, seven-month-old son and three-year-old daughter in an airstrike during the last total war in Gaza in 2014. New reports suggest the ongoing IDF campaign has now killed more relatives, including his brother and son, possibly indicating an intensified Israeli campaign to take him out once and for all.
Bu hikaye Newsweek Europe dergisinin October 27, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Newsweek Europe dergisinin October 27, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
![The Fight To Ban Child Marriage](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/9708/1731957/Bn6wwccTp1718362066129/crp_THE-FIGHT-TO-BAN-CHILD-MARRIAGE.jpg)
The Fight To Ban Child Marriage
Under-18s can legally wed in most U.S. states but young spouses are often left physically, emotionally and economically vulnerable, campaigners say
![Major League Error](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/9708/1731957/l9PbkYmR51718363275700/MAJOR-LEAGUE-ERROR.jpg)
Major League Error
Why baseball fans have long thought Ty Cobb to be a racist when he wasn't
![The TikTok Election](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/9708/1731957/GkoGFXO5C1718362867813/THE-TIKTOK-ELECTION.jpg)
The TikTok Election
With both Donald Trump and Joe Biden now on the app, could it help determine the next U.S. president in November?
![Failure to Deliver](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/9708/1731957/xQ7JRVNRL1718362474668/FAILURE-TO-DELIVER.jpg)
Failure to Deliver
Multinational companies embraced Chinese factories to lower costs. Their excessive reliance ended up being a central cause of the COVID supply chain meltdown
![BEST SPECIALISTS & SURGEONS](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/9708/1731957/k5h3ak1a-1718361137636/BEST-SPECIALISTS-SURGEONS.jpg)
BEST SPECIALISTS & SURGEONS
FINDING THE BEST MEDICAL SPECIALIST IS A DAUNTING TASK for anyone requiring specific treatment.
![SURGEONS MAGIC TOUCH](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/9708/1731957/jf6JhFHJw1718359763107/SURGEONS-MAGIC-TOUCH.jpg)
SURGEONS MAGIC TOUCH
Americans turn down syringes but go UNDER SCALPELS. What do these doctors know that the rest of medicine doesn't?
![ARABIAIAN MIGHT](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/9708/1724327/4_74oo9zN1717698801749/ARABIAIAN-MIGHT.jpg)
ARABIAIAN MIGHT
SAUDI ARABIA'S INCREASING STRENGTH MEANS IT NOW HAS MUCH MORE CLOUT WITH ITS PARTNERS, INCLUDING THE U.S.
![Bringing Trump's Trial to Life](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/9708/1724327/w4Y7L6jEy1717698240148/BRINGING-TRUMPS-TRIAL-TO-LIFE.jpg)
Bringing Trump's Trial to Life
Sketch artist Isabelle Brourman tells Newsweek what it was like covering the former president’s court case
![Iran Examines the Nuclear Option](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/9708/1724327/wZ6f99fHM1717697070537/IRAN-EXAMINES-THE-NUCLEAR-OPTION.jpg)
Iran Examines the Nuclear Option
Tehran’s rhetoric could spark an arms race in the Middle East like never before
![Climate Conviction at What Price?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/9708/1724327/I0pJRJSkn1717696240028/CLIMATE-CONVICTION-AT-WHAT-PRICE.jpg)
Climate Conviction at What Price?
Fifty years ago experts doubted Americans would pay to save the environment. Only some of their fears are still true