Mohammed Deif is the head of the Izzadin al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas.
He is credited for helping plan and carry out numerous Palestinian terrorist attacks since the 1990s, which has led to him being informally known as Israel's "most wanted man" for almost 30 years, and is confirmed to have survived multiple attempts by Israel to eliminate him. He has also been designated as a terrorist by both the United States and the European Union.
Currently, Deif is widely believed to have been instrumental in the planning and carrying out of the October 7 massacre, which started the Israel-Hamas war in 2023.
At present, Deif is believed to still be at large in the Gaza Strip.
Former Israeli diplomat and former foreign ministry official, Yigal Palmor, told the Post that the warrants will have significant implications for international justice.
The ruling could prevent Israeli officials from traveling and comes as the government ignores legal advice to open a state inquiry.
"We set December 2, 2024, as the start date for the defense stage, having considered all relevant factors, including the state of war," the court judges said.
Netanyahu's attorney Amit Haddad stated that recent security developments made proper defense preparations "impossible."
Hamas also investigated suspects who allegedly leaked Deif's location to Israel which led to his assassination.
IAF assassinated the Hamas captor of killed hostage Noa Marciano. After a 60-rocket barrage to in northern Israel, one reservist was seriously injured.
The ICC is currently weighing a request for arrest warrants against Israeli and Hamas leaders made earlier this year.
Mohammed Sinwar’s cunning and brutality have solidified his role in Hamas’s military leadership. Who is this shadowy arch-terrorist?
Sinwar has reportedly been moving between hiding places in Gaza, fleeing from the IDF, and possibly hiding as a woman.
Israel faces global scrutiny for defending itself against threats while upholding its values. This article examines the nation's challenges in balancing security and international perception.
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