Hamas’ unprecedented and deadly incursion in southern Israel on Oct. 7 brought the group to new levels of prominence in the region and internationally. Hamas’ leadership structure amid the ongoing war with Israel in the Gaza Strip is complex, but a closer look reveals who is in charge of what.
Hamas’ organizational structure is divided into the military wing — Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades — and the political wing, known as the political bureau. The latter makes political decisions and has no authority over the military wing. The Shura Council oversees the work of the political and military wings. Hamas’ presence is further divided geographically into apparatuses in the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, Israeli prisons and abroad, such as Lebanon.
Mohammed Deif
Day-to-day military decisions are made by the military wing's general military council. Mohammed Deif is the overall leader of the brigades and believed to be the mastermind of the Oct. 7 attacks. There are no public photos of Deif, he is secretive and only does audio recordings on occasion. One such recording was released at the start of the recent attack on Israel. Deif has survived at least five assassination attempts by Israel.
