"And do not think of those who have died in the way of Allah as dead, rather, they are alive with their Lord, and they are provided for. They are rejoicing in what Allah has given them of His bounty, and they are glad for those who have not yet joined them from behind them. No fear shall there be upon them, nor shall they grieve.” (Al-Imran).

Announcement of Martyrdom

On Thursday, the 30th of Rajab 1446H / January 30, 2025, the military spokesperson for the “Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades,” Abu Ubaida announced the news of the martyrdom of the commander of the General Staff of the brigades, Abu Khalid Muhammad Al-Daif, along with several of his brothers. It is likely that the death occurred days earlier, but the movement—displaying its well-known cleverness—did not announce this; waiting for the ceasefire to commence and for a deal to be finalized, so that the enemy could not exploit it to propagate a false victory. The movement waited until defeat took its toll on the enemy camp, leading to resignations, divisions, and other typical occurrences after defeats, before announcing the names of its martyr leaders.

Significance of the Martyrdom of Al-Daif and His Companions

The ascension of Al-Daif as a martyr, along with his righteous brothers who are leaders in the General Staff, carries profound significance that links together the martyrdom of great leaders of the resistance throughout history, whether from the “Al-Qassam Brigades” or prior to them, and will continue to do so until Allah inherits the earth and those upon it. Among these significances are the following:

First: National Recognition

That the nation, in the east and west, knew Muhammad Al-Daif, even though they have only seen an old picture of him on the internet. They believed in his honesty and sincerity, trusted his good deeds and continued giving, and saw him as a symbol of hope for liberation and jihad. Thus, when he and his brothers ascended, a funeral prayer was held for them in Muslim countries; it was even held at the blessed Al-Aqsa Mosque, from where Al-Daif delivered the first address of the battle, calling it “The Flood of Al-Aqsa.” Here is Al-Aqsa fulfilling its duty to honor the heroic martyr leaders.

Second: Revitalizing Resistance

The martyrdom of frontline leaders revitalizes the resistance, allowing its cadres to establish their presence and showcase their competencies and ideas. As the poet said: "When a leader among us dies, another rises, one who speaks boldly of what the honorable have declared." This has an impact on the development of the resistance and its capabilities, enhancing its ability to engage in jihad, leading to a quicker realization of liberation.

Third: Greater Confidence in Resistance

The martyrdom of great leaders from the frontline of the resistance instills greater confidence in this resistance, making the nation rally around it and increasing its support, while cutting off the path for those who would speak ill of it. For they are with the fighting soldiers in the field, not living in high towers or fortifying themselves in places that guarantee their safety from enemy bullets, nor do they shy away from martyrdom while risking it for the soldiers. Rather, we have seen them in the field, walking among the ranks, inspecting, planning, and risking their lives, advancing boldly until they meet Allah as martyrs, whether inside Gaza—such as the families of Haniyeh, Al-Sinwar, Al-Daif, and his companions—or outside like Al-Aroori, Haniyeh, and many others in the history of the movement, as if the movement has adopted the motto of the poet: "Indeed, we present our leaders before the soldiers, racing towards death, heading towards our Lord."

Fourth: Fulfillment of Pledges

The martyrdom of these leaders confirms that God has men who have been true to what they have pledged to God (among the believers are men who have been true to their covenant with God; some of them have fulfilled their vow, and some of them are still waiting, and they have not changed in the least) (Al-Ahzab: 23). The scholar Al-Sa’di said in its interpretation: When it was mentioned that the hypocrites pledged to God not to turn their backs and then violated that pledge, the faithfulness of the believers to it was mentioned, saying: (Among the believers are men who have been true to their covenant with God); that is to say, they fulfilled it, completed it, and perfected it, giving their lives in His pleasure and dedicating themselves to His obedience. (Among them are some who have fulfilled their vow); meaning: their will and what they are obligated to do, as they were killed in the cause of God, or died fulfilling their duty without diminishing anything. (And among them are some who are still waiting); completing what is required of them, striving to fulfill it and hopeful for its completion, actively working towards it. (And they have not changed in the least) as others have changed; rather, they remain true to the covenant, unwavering, and unchanging. These are the true men; those other than them may have the appearance of men, but their qualities fall short of manly attributes.

Fifth: Inspiring Generations

The martyrs, through their blood and sacrifices, shorten the path and achieve what books and speeches cannot achieve; that legacy remains preserved for them after their passing, inspiring and motivating generations, and God erases with their pure blood and affirms what He wills erasing and affirming. Sayyid Qutb says in his interpretation of the verse: “Indeed, We will support Our messengers and those who believe during the life of this world and on the Day when the witnesses will stand.” (Ghafir: 51): how many martyrs could not support their creed and call even if they lived for a thousand years, as they did through their martyrdom? They could not instill in hearts the great meanings or motivate thousands to great actions through a sermon like the last one they write with their blood, which remains a compelling motivation for children and grandchildren, possibly driving the course of history for generations.

Sixth: Strength and Determination

The resistance has lost great leaders and monumental symbols of jihad, yet this has not weakened it; instead, it has only increased its strength upon strength, determination upon determination, resolve upon resolve, and insistence upon insistence. It has neither retreated nor feared, nor weakened nor submitted, and God loves the patient; “They had nothing else to say except that they said: “Our Lord, forgive us our sins and our excesses in our conduct, make firm our feet and help us against the disbelieving people.” (Al-Imran: 147).

Seventh: Light and Fire

The resistance has offered dozens of leaders and thousands of martyrs, from Izz al-Din al-Qassam to Muhammad Deif, and their blood will be both light and fire; a light that illuminates the path for the fighters and a fire that burns the occupiers and tyrants, until the complete liberation of Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa, the prisoners, and Palestine is achieved. “They will ask: When will it be? Say, ‘Perhaps it is near.”