Inside Mohammed Deif’s home: His wife and daughter share their reality

A newly shared video on social media provides a unique look into the family life of Mohammed Deif, the late leader of Hamas’ military arm, Al-Qassam Brigades. Israeli claims that Hamas officials and their family reside in opulent mansions or tunnels are refuted by the video, which shows his wife and three kids inside their humble Gaza home.

“Before and after the war, our home had four mattresses and a mat,” says Deif’s wife, Um Khaled, in the film. The statement emphasizes the family’s challenging living circumstances, which are comparable to those of many people in Gaza.

Mohammed Deif and six other high-ranking military officials were killed during the Al-Aqsa Flood operation, according to a Thursday announcement from Al-Qassam Brigades. An important turning point in the continuing struggle is his killing.

Deif, also known as Abu Khaled, was born in Khan Younis in 1965 and was instrumental in establishing Hamas’ military strategy. A man of great secrecy, he led several missions against Israeli troops throughout the decades and avoided many Israeli assassination attempts.

Ghadir Siyam, the daughter of prominent activist and former prisoner Fatima Halabi, was Deif’s first wife. Ziad Al-Husseini, a leader in Gaza’s Popular Forces, was Halabi’s former spouse. Fatima actively participated in Palestinian resistance with her sister Raja Halabi, who headed the women’s movement within Hamas.

Deif had three children from this marriage: Khaled, Baha, and Khadija. In 2014, an Israeli attack murdered his second wife, Widad Asfura, and their two children, Ali and Sarah. Halima and Omar were the couple’s other two children.

Like many others in Gaza, Deif’s family was always in danger because of Israeli violence. They suffered much and were often compelled to adopt false identities for security concerns. His brother and his whole family were slaughtered in the most recent Israeli onslaught on Gaza, and both of his parents died years ago.

The video of Deif’s wife and kids adds another dimension to the continuing battle in Gaza by serving as a moving reminder of the personal sacrifices made by individuals who are part of the Palestinian resistance.