IDF identified Deif, other top Hamas commanders entering tunnels on eve of Oct. 7

Israeli security forces have confirmed that Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif and several other senior Hamas commanders entered underground tunnels on the night before the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) identified the movement of these leaders into the tunnel network hours before the coordinated assault began. According to the reports, the commanders went underground shortly before the invasion that led to widespread casualties. Coverage of the development appears across a range of regional outlets. Haaretz reports that both Shin Bet and the IDF were aware that Deif had gone underground in the hours preceding the attack.

The Jerusalem Post emphasizes that the IDF’s focus on tracking and attempting to eliminate Deif diverted attention on October 7. The Times of Israel details the IDF’s identification of Deif and other commanders in the tunnels. Meanwhile, Al Jazeera’s documentary series “What Is Hidden Is Greater” examines Deif’s role in planning the invasion, and Middle East Eye notes that Hamas had considered canceling the operation if Israel had honored prior agreements. Mohammed Deif has been identified as Hamas’s military chief, credited with directing the organization’s armed wing. The identification of Deif’s presence in the tunnels underscores the strategic use of subterranean routes by Hamas to conceal movement and to position leadership close to the front lines before the large‑scale attack.

Future reporting is expected to track any official Israeli inquiries into why the IDF’s focus on Deif may have affected its response on October 7, as highlighted by the Jerusalem Post. Observers will watch for statements from Shin Bet and the IDF regarding pre‑attack intelligence handling, and for any diplomatic discussion about the agreements that Hamas says could have averted the assault, referenced by Middle East Eye. Additional analysis of tunnel networks and command structures is likely to follow.