Israel refers to last week’s attack by Hamas as its own 9/11 moment, while the mastermind behind the assault, Palestinian militant Mohammed Deif, named it Al Aqsa Flood. The attack was a retaliation for Israeli raids on Jerusalem’s Al Aqsa mosque. The operation, which has resulted in 1,200 deaths and over 2,700 injuries in Israel, was planned by Deif after the raid on the holy site in May 2021. The attack marked the worst breach in Israeli defenses since the 1973 Arab-Israeli conflict. Deif, who rarely appears in public and has survived seven assassination attempts, issued a recording announcing the operation. The operation was planned in secrecy, with only a select few Hamas leaders being aware of the details. Iran, a key supporter of Hamas, knew only in general terms about the operation. Israel was led to believe that Hamas was focused on economic development in Gaza, while the group’s fighters were secretly being trained and drilled. Deif’s recording highlighted the grievances of Palestinians against Israel, including the mistreatment of prisoners and the expropriation of Palestinian land. The conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in over 1,000 deaths and more than 5,000 injuries in Gaza. Deif, whose real name is Mohammad Masri, joined Hamas during the first Intifada and has played a significant role in developing Hamas’s tunnel network and bomb-making expertise. He is considered a folk hero among Palestinians for his survival and leadership in Hamas’s armed wing.