Al Jazeera Airs Secret Tapes of Hamas Commander Mohammed Deif
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS Arabic by baba
Al Jazeera has broadcast rare footage of former Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif, detailing his role in building the group's capabilities and planning the October 7th attack. The program, "What's Hidden Is Greater," showed Deif in meetings with other senior Hamas leaders, discussing past operations and the strategic considerations leading up to the October 7th assault. Key revelations include Deif's prison studies on weapons, his West Bank activities, and a meeting with Marwan Issa and Yahya Al-Sinwar to plan "Project Fahd," which was contingent on political developments.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Al Jazeera aired rare footage of former Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif and his meetings with other leaders.
- The materials revealed details about the planning and preparations for the October 7th attack, codenamed "Project Fahd."
- Deif discussed his past activities, including weapon studies in prison and armed operations in the West Bank.
- The investigation featured Jihad Yaghmour detailing Mohammed Deif's alleged planning of the Nachshon Wachsman kidnapping and murder.
- A meeting between Deif, Marwan Issa, and Yahya Al-Sinwar marked the start of practical preparations for the October 7th attack.
- The October 7th plan could have been canceled based on progress regarding the Al-Aqsa Mosque and Palestinian prisoners.
Al Jazeera revealed rare photos and video recordings of Mohammed Deif, the former commander of Hamas's military wing. The footage, aired on the investigative program "What's Hidden Is Greater," shows Deif in meetings with senior Hamas officials, including Rafeh Salamah, commander of the Khan Yunis brigade, intelligence official Mohammed Awda, and Al-Qassam Brigades spokesperson Hudhayfah Kahlut, also known as Abu Obeida. The program presented the materials as obtained directly from Hamas, detailing Deif's role in building the group's military capabilities and the preparations for the October 7th attack.
The broadcast included archival footage of Deif discussing his experiences in Israeli prisons, where he studied weapons, and his armed activities in the West Bank during the 1990s, seeking greater access to arms. The investigation also featured Jihad Yaghmour, who participated in the kidnapping and murder of Israeli soldier Nachshon Wachsman, describing the operation as planned by Deif. A recording indicated that Hamas leadership considered transferring Wachsman to Gaza.
Deif also spoke about his work with Yahya Ayyash in establishing the foundations for arming Hamas's military wing in Gaza. He mentioned meetings with leaders like Mohammed Al-Sinwar after the release of Hamas founder Ahmed Yassin, who prioritized strengthening the military wing. Deif characterized the Al-Qassam Brigades' activities during the Second Intifada, including rockets, mortars, and tunnels, as pressure tactics against Israel aimed at continued settlement attacks and withdrawal.
A significant revelation was a meeting between Deif, Marwan Issa, and Yahya Al-Sinwar where practical preparations for the October 7th attack, codenamed "Project Fahd," began. According to meeting minutes broadcast by Al Jazeera, the plan could have been canceled if progress was made in the Al-Aqsa Mosque issue or if conditions for Palestinian security prisoners in Israeli jails improved.
The program also aired a recording of Yahya Al-Sinwar excitedly contacting Deif after the 2021 ceasefire ending Operation "Guardian of the Walls." The presented materials highlight key moments in Deif's career, his contribution to Hamas's military development, and new details about the meetings and considerations preceding the October 7th attack.
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