Palestinian Resistance factions mourned the martyrdom of Palestinian Resistance leader martyr Mohammad Deif, “Abu Khaled”, and his martyred comrades, following an al-Qassam Brigades announcement on Thursday.
Deif and six other leaders of al-Qassam Brigades were martyred during the period of the Battle of Al-Aqsa Flood, a televised message by the Hamas’ military wing’s spokesperson Abu Obeida revealed.
The martyrs were identified as follows:
– Mohammad Deif, Abu Khaled: Al-Qassam Brigades’ Chief of Staff
– Marwan Issa, Abu al-Baraa: Al-Qassam Brigades’ Deputy Chief of Staff
– Ghazi Abu Tama’ah, Abu Musa: Al-Qassam Brigades’ Chief of the Weapons and Combat Services
– Raed Thabet, Abu Mohammad: Al-Qassam Brigades’ Chief of Personnel
– Rafi’ Salamah, Abu Mohammad: Al-Qassam Brigades’ Khan Younis Brigade Commander
– Ahmad al-Ghandour, Abu Anas: Al-Qassam Brigades’ North Brigade Commander
– Ayman Nawfal, Abu Ahmad: Al-Qassam Brigades’ Central Brigade Commander
The martyrs played a pivotal role in leading Palestinian Resistance operations in the Gaza Strip and in the execution of Operation Al-Aqsa Floosd, as well as the defensive efforts that followed.
Indicating their deep commitment to advancing the rights of the Palestinian people, Palestinian factions across the board issued statements mourning the leaders, including the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, the Popular Resistance Movement, and the Palestinian People’s Party.
The PIJ stated that the announcement of the leaders’ martyrdom, occurring amidst the ongoing prisoner exchange process, serves as a powerful message to the Israeli regime and its supporters. It emphasizes that the martyrdom of these leaders strengthens the Resistance, fortifying the resolve of their fighters and ensuring that their determination remains unmatched.
It is worth noting that among the reasons behind Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, as made clear by a message sent out by martyr Deif on October 7, 2023, was to secure a prisoner exchange deal with the Israeli regime, that would liberate thousands of Palestinians.
The PFLP mourned Deif and his comrades saying that the martyred leader exemplified “precise planning and top-tier acts of resistance.” It also lauded Deif for transforming the Palestinian Resistance into a well-trained and organized force that thwarted the Israeli regime’s plots.
Abu Ali Moustapha Brigades, the PFLP’s military wing, also released a statement mourning “the great national leader, the Chief of Staff of the Al-Qassam Brigades, the architect and initiator of the Battle of Al-Aqsa Flood, and one of the most prominent symbols of Palestinian national struggle, the martyr and hero Mohammad Deif.”
Meanwhile, Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades extended its heartfelt condolences on behalf of the Palestinian people, “to our brothers in blood and arms in the Al-Qassam Brigades and the families of the martyrs.”
The armed faction emphasized that it draws inspiration from “the martyrdom of the heroic leaders, which motivates us to continue on the path of struggle and national unity, until the decisive victory and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with al-Quds as its capital.”
“Today, we bid farewell to leader Mohammad Deif and his fellow leaders, who have exemplified courage, sacrifice, and devotion,” a statement by the al-Mujahideen movement read.
“They depart after a long journey of resistance, during which they resisted the Zionist occupation with unwavering determination,” the movement added.
The Palestinian People’s Party affirmed that the occupation, through the killing of the leaders, will not succeed in breaking “the will of (the Palestinian) people, as has been the case over the past decades.”
The party saw that to the contratry of expections, the martydom of these leaders “will only strengthen our people’s attachment to their land and their determination to continue the path of struggle and resistance.”
Below are summaries of official statements of factions paying tribute:
Palestinian Islamic Jihad:
The Islamic Jihad Movement mourns the martyrdom of Mohammed Deif (Abu Khaled) and his comrades, saluting their pivotal role in initiating the battle of Al-Aqsa Flood and achieving victories such as the recent prisoner exchange deal under resistance-imposed terms. The Movement stresses that the martyrdom of leaders strengthens the steadfastness of the resistance and forces the zionist entity to retreat. Islamic Jihad reaffirms its steadfastness alongside Hamas and other resistance factions to honor the blood of the martyrs, achieve full liberation, and thwart zionist-American schemes targeting the Palestinian cause. Indeed it is a jihad of victory or martyrdom.
Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine:
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine mourns Mohammed Deif (Abu Khaled), the great Palestinian fighter and Chief of Staff of the Al-Qassam Brigades, alongside Marwan Issa and their comrades. Mohammed Deif was a symbol of meticulous planning and heroic resistance, who struck fear into the zionist entity for decades. The PFLP affirms that their martyrdom will strengthen the resistance and that the enemy’s crimes will not halt the struggle but instead ensure the eventual collapse of the zionist occupation.
Al-Nasser Salah Al-Din Brigades:
The Al-Nasser Salah Al-Din Brigades, the military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees, mourn the martyrdom of Mohammed Deif, Marwan Issa, and their comrades. These leaders were heroic symbols of sacrifice who gave their lives defending the sanctities of Palestine in the battle of Al-Aqsa Flood. The Brigades reaffirm their commitment to escalating resistance against the zionist enemy, which will meet its inevitable fate of collapse. The resistance will not rest until every inch of Palestinian land is liberated.
Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades – Youth of Revenge and Liberation:
The Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades mourn the martyrdom of Mohammed Deif, Marwan Issa, Ghazi Abu Tama’a, Raed Thabet, Ahmed Al-Ghandour, and Ayman Noufal, who gave their lives defending Al-Aqsa. Their sacrifices in the battle of Al-Aqsa Flood represent a decisive moment in the fight for liberation. The Brigades pledge to continue their path until Palestine is free from the river to the sea. Jihad—Victory or Martyrdom.
Mujahideen Brigades:
The Mujahideen Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian Mujahideen Movement, mourn the martyrdom of Mohammed Deif, his deputy Marwan Issa, and their comrades Ghazi Abu Tama’a, Raed Thabet, Rafi’ Salama, Ahmed Al-Ghandour, and Ayman Noufal. Their long journey of jihad and resistance exemplifies courage and devotion to defending the sanctities of Palestine. The Brigades pledge to follow their path and escalate resistance until the zionist occupation is eradicated and Palestine is liberated. Allahu Akbar! Victory is promised to the Mujahideen.
The Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine:
The Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine mourns Mohammed Deif, Marwan Issa, and their comrades, who ascended in the battle of Al-Aqsa Flood while defending the dignity of Palestine. The DFLP affirms that the martyrdom of these leaders will not weaken the resistance but instead strengthen its determination to defeat the zionist entity. Their blood will forever light the path to liberation and the return of Palestinian rights.
Fatah Al-Intifada mourns Commander Mohammed Deif (Abu Khaled), Chief of Staff of Al-Qassam Brigades, and his comrades Marwan Issa, Ghazi Abu Tama’a, Raed Thabet, Rafi’ Salama, Ahmed Al-Ghandour, and Ayman Noufal. Their martyrdom in the battle of Al-Aqsa Flood is a reminder of the unity of the resistance, which will continue to haunt the zionist enemy until their aggression is defeated and Palestine is liberated. Revolution until victory!
Political Bureau of Ansar Allah:
The Political Bureau of Ansar Allah mourns Mohammed Deif, the great martyr of the Ummah, alongside his comrades, who sacrificed their lives defending the sanctities of Al-Quds and Palestine. Ansar Allah emphasizes that these martyrs achieved a monumental victory for the resistance and Palestine. The Bureau reaffirms its unwavering support for Hamas and all resistance factions, pledging steadfastness in their cause until victory is achieved and Palestine is liberated.
Islamic Resistance in Iraq – Scream of Al-Quds Brigades:
The Scream of Al-Quds Brigades mourns Mohammed Deif and his comrades, who became martyrs in the battle for Al-Aqsa Mosque and the liberation of Palestine. The Brigades pledge to honor the sacrifices of the martyrs and continue the fight until Al-Quds is fully liberated and the zionist entity is eradicated from the face of the earth.