Israeli television has unveiled a long-awaited new photograph that captures a glimpse of elusive Hamas commander Muhammad Deif.
The revelation has sparked optimism that Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) may be closing in on the figure known as “The Shadow” who commands Hamas’s military wing, the Qassam Brigades.
The latest image of Deif, obtained in Gaza and reported by The Times of Israel, portrays him visibly aged compared to previously shared photos.
The timing of the photograph remains uncertain, but the extensive efforts to track down Deif, who has been on Israel’s most wanted list since 1995, are now intensifying.
Deif, a key orchestrator of the October 7 attack, has miraculously survived at least seven Israeli assassination attempts, the most recent occurring in May 2021.
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Reportedly confined to a wheelchair after losing limbs in these attempts, the new photo suggests further physical challenges, notably the potential loss of an eye.
The resilience of the Hamas leader was evident in a tragic incident in 2014, where he narrowly escaped an assassination attempt that claimed the lives of his wife, infant son, and three-year-old daughter.
The IDF’s recent discovery of wheelchairs believed to have been used by Deif in a Gaza City tunnel network has fueled speculations about the proximity of the pursuit.
However, a reportedly unreleased video found in Gaza allegedly depicts Deif walking with a limp on two feet, challenging assumptions about his physical condition.
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, an IDF spokesman, refrained from commenting on whether the newly surfaced photo indicates that they are closer to capturing Deif.
Deif planned and executed numerous terror attacks, including bus bombings in the 1990s and early 2000s. The IDF’s distributed flyers in early December offering bounties for information leading to the capture of top Hamas officials, with Deif listed at $100,000.
The IDF has not succeeded in capturing or eliminating any of the targeted senior commanders during nearly three months of intense conflict. Meanwhile, Gaza officials report devastating casualties, with over 21,000 people killed and 55,000 injured.
