Hamas has confirmed the death of Muhammad Deif, the leader of its armed wing, and his deputy Marwan Issa, who were killed in battle.

Israel had previously claimed in August that it had killed both Deif and Issa, who were believed to have been key figures in planning and executing the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023.

In a statement released by the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas spokesperson Abu Obeida also revealed that three other senior members of Hamas’ general military council had been martyred alongside Deif and Issa.

Abu Obeida remarked, "In the name of Allah, I ask: Can the name of Muhammad Deif be written in Palestinian history without the title 'martyr' and the medal of martyrdom?"

The October Hamas attack, known as the "Al-Aqsa Flood," is considered one of the deadliest attacks in the history of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land. It resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 Israelis and the capture of more than 250 hostages. In an audio message released prior to the attack, Deif described it as a retaliation for Israeli actions against Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site in Islam, located in Jerusalem. Some sources indicate that Deif had begun planning the attack in May 2021, following widespread anger among Muslims due to Israeli actions at Al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan that year. Palestinians had been anticipating a significant development when Deif's speech was announced on the day of the October attack.

In his speech, Deif urged his followers, saying, "Our people's anger has overflowed due to the repeated attacks on Al-Aqsa Mosque and the oppression of Muslims. O Mujahideen fighting in the way of Allah, today is the day to show the Jews that their era in this beloved land has ended. And today is the day to show who the rightful owners of Palestinian land are."

Issa, often described by international media as a formidable figure, had also been a target for elimination by Israel and the United States. While Israel and many Western countries consider Hamas a terrorist organization, Palestinian Muslims view its leaders, including Deif and Issa, as fighters striving to liberate their land and uphold Islamic values.

As of the latest reports, the death toll from the ongoing violence in the region has reached 47,460.