On January 30, 2025, the spokesman for the Al-Qassam Brigades, Abu Obeida, announced the martyrdom of a group of brigade leaders during the "Tornado of Al-Aqsa" battle, after they inscribed bright pages in the record of Palestinian resistance with their blood.
In this report, we highlight the biographies of these leaders, who made a difference in the course of the confrontation with the occupation through their heroism and movements.
Mohammed Deif (Abu Khaled)
The overall leader of the Al-Qassam Brigades, Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri, known as "Mohammed Deif," has been one of the most wanted individuals by the occupation for decades and a symbol of resistance who led a qualitative shift in Palestinian military work.
After studying at the Islamic University in Gaza, Deif joined the Muslim Brotherhood and was one of the prominent activists in the Islamic bloc. He then joined Hamas and was counted among its most significant field operatives.
He was arrested by the occupation in 1989, spending 16 months in its prisons before being released to continue building the "Al-Qassam Brigades."
After the martyrdom of Commander Imad Aqel in 1993, Deif became one of the most prominent military leaders in Hamas, participating in numerous quality operations, such as the abduction of soldier Nachshon Wachsman, and later led retaliatory operations for the assassination of Yahya Ayyash in 1996, which resulted in the deaths of over 50 Israelis.
Deif worked on developing the military capabilities of "Al-Qassam," making him a continuous target for the occupation, which described him as the "head of the snake." He survived repeated assassination attempts, despite his numerous injuries. On October 7, 2023, he announced the launch of the "Tornado of Al-Aqsa" operation, which prompted “Israel” to escalate attempts to eliminate him, reaching a peak on July 13, 2024, when it bombed Khan Yunis with eight massive bombs, resulting in the martyrdom of 92 Palestinians and the injury of over 300 others.
Marwan Issa (Abu Al-Barra)
The deputy commander of the "Al-Qassam Brigades" and the right-hand man of Mohammed Deif, he is considered one of the most significant military minds that have troubled the 'Israeli' occupation over the years. Born in 1965 in the Al-Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, he carries a dream of returning to his village, Beit Tayma, from which its inhabitants were displaced in 1948. He joined the Muslim Brotherhood at a young age, excelling in organizational and sports activities, earning him the title "Commando of Palestine," noted for his ability in military organization and overseeing combat operations.
During the First Intifada, he was arrested by the occupation and later faced further imprisonment in Palestinian Authority prisons. Despite these challenges, he joined the "Al-Qassam Brigades" through the martyr Ibrahim Al-Maqadma, contributing to transforming the brigades from semi-military cells into an organized army characterized by professionalism and discipline. Thanks to Marwan Issa's leadership role, he became one of the most targeted figures by the occupation, which classified him as one of its most dangerous wanted individuals.
In his military career, Issa contributed to many notable operations. He played a pivotal role in planning the "Operation Loyalty of the Free," and showcased his strategic imprint in the battles of 2012, 2014, and 2021. In October 2023, with the onset of "Operation Al-Aqsa Flood," Issa returned to confirm his capacity for deep strategic influence in the Palestinian resistance battle.
Issa ventured into politics when he was elected a member of the Political Bureau of Hamas in 2017 and was re-elected in 2021. He is considered a link between military leadership and political leadership.
Last November, Yuval Cohen, the former head of the Shin Bet, called for the assassination of Hamas leaders, stating: "It is essential to eliminate at least these three senior officials: Marwan Issa, Muhammad Deif, and Yahya Sinwar," according to the Hebrew news channel "Channel Seven."
Ra'afat Salama (Abu Muhammad)
A member of the general military council of the Al-Qassam Brigades and the commander of the Khan Younis Brigade in the Gaza Strip, he was one of the closest associates of Muhammad Deif. He is considered one of the military minds that left its mark in "Operation Al-Aqsa Flood," which began on October 7, 2023.
For over two decades, Salama participated in planning quality military operations against the occupation, most notably the operation to capture soldier Gilad Shalit in eastern Rafah in 2006, and securing his detention until the exchange deal in 2011.
Salama belongs to a family that has provided many martyrs, most notably his mother, who was killed in a Zionist bombing targeting the family home. He has survived several assassination attempts, the most notable during the aggression on Gaza in 2021, when the occupation targeted his home.
The occupation accused him of being behind operations that resulted in dozens of casualties, including the "Omar Tabash" operation in 2005, which targeted the officers' room of the Israeli internal security service (Shin Bet) at the Arouhan military site in central Gaza, and the "Snake Hunt 3" operation in 2007, which targeted an Israeli special force in eastern Rafah.
The occupation set a reward of $200,000 for information leading to him. On July 13, 2024, the occupation's army announced his assassination in a raid targeting the al-Mawasi camp in southern Gaza, alongside Muhammad Deif.
Raed Thabet (Abu Muhammad)
One of the most prominent military leaders in the Al-Qassam Brigades, he was described by the spokesperson of the brigades as the "commander of human resources," referring to his pivotal role in building and enhancing the capabilities of the Palestinian resistance.
Although there is little information available about him, Commander Thabet held the position of head of the supply and workforce department in Hamas's military wing and was responsible for managing research and development systems and maximizing military power, according to the occupation, which described him as a "knowledge center in the field of arming and military technology."
According to available information about the martyr, Thabet led the underwater units and naval forces in the Al-Qassam Brigades.
Ayman Nufal (Abu Ahmad)
Commander of the Al-Qassam Brigade in the Middle Governorate, born in 1965 in the al-Bureij refugee camp. He played a pivotal role in leading major military operations during the first and second uprisings, in addition to his role in the capture of soldier Gilad Shalit in 2006.
Nufal held several important military positions in the Al-Qassam Brigades, where he led the intelligence service for several years before becoming the commander of military operations in the Middle Governorate brigade. He also served as a coordinator for the brigade's operations within the joint operations room of the military wings of Palestinian factions in Gaza. He was arrested three times by the occupation in 1991, and was also arrested by the Palestinian Authority in 1997.
His name appeared on the list of wanted individuals by the occupation, which classified him among the most dangerous military leaders. He was martyred on October 17, 2023, during the "Flood of Al-Aqsa" battle.
Ahmed Al-Ghandour (Abu Anas)
The third man in the Al-Qassam Brigades. He began his jihadist journey in 1984 and participated in leading many operations against the occupation during the first (1987) and second (2000) Palestinian uprisings.
He faced several prominent assassination attempts, notably in 2002 and 2012, and was detained for six years by the occupation and five years by the Palestinian Authority.
He led the northern brigade of the Al-Qassam Brigades and participated in significant battles such as the "Battle of Al-Furqan," leaving a strong mark on the battlefield against the occupation. The occupation accuses him of planning and participating in the "Broken Mirage" operation, which resulted in the capture of the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit.
He played a central role in organizing hundreds of martyrdom operations during the Al-Aqsa Intifada, including the Reem Al-Riyashi operation and the Asdod port incursion, as well as numerous operations that instilled fear in the occupation.
He took command of the northern Gaza area in the Al-Qassam Brigades in 2000 and was responsible for many operations targeting military sites and settlements.
On November 26, 2023, the Al-Qassam Brigades announced the martyrdom of Ahmed Al-Ghandour in battles fought against the Zionist army in northern Gaza during the "Flood of Al-Aqsa" battle.
Ghazi Abu Tamah (Abu Musa)
A prominent commander in the Al-Qassam Brigades, described by the brigades' spokesperson Abu Ubaida as the "cornerstone of weapons and combat services" in the statement announcing his martyrdom. He was known for his pivotal role in logistical operations and overseeing all aspects of military support within the brigades, placing him at the top of the occupation's assassination list.
He faced several assassination attempts, as the occupation bombed his house multiple times. On March 26, 2024, the occupation announced his assassination. On January 30, 2025, the Al-Qassam Brigades announced his martyrdom during the "Flood of Al-Aqsa" battle.
