TEHRAN -- The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said Friday the glorious legacy of the martyrs of Qassam Brigades, the military arm of Hamas, in the battle against Israel will lighten the way for the future of Resistance. 
Chief of Al-Qassam Brigades Abu Obeida on Thursday announced the martyrdom of several of the wing’s military council leaders in the battle against Israel, including its chief of staff Muhammad Deif.
In a message, the IRGC expressed condolences over the loss of the “legendary and brave” chief of the Qassam Brigades and other commanders. 
“The martyrs’ glorious legacy will be the torch of the path of the faithful and invincible fighters of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement in the quest for the liberation of Al-Quds and the eradication of the cancerous tumor of Israel.”
The IRGC described Deif and the other martyrs as “shining stars in the proud galaxy of Palestinian resistance” who created an inspiring and enduring narrative of sacrifice, resistance and relentless struggle against the criminal Israeli regime.
“Their names continue to instill fear and terror in the hearts of the Zionist criminals and their supporters, and those who continue their path will demonstrate that their names are still alive,” the statement read.
It emphasized that the martyrdom of Deif and others will boost the power of the Islamic resistance’s fighters and strengthen the Palestinian people’s will to continue their resistance until the liberation of Al-Quds.
“The Palestinians will strike against the satanic and racist Zionist regime and mark an end to its disgraceful existence,” it said, adding Muslim nations will also continue to support the resistance front.
Other martyred commanders announced by Hamas Thursday included Ghazi Abu Tama’a, the commander of weapons and combat services, Raed Thabet, the commander of manpower and head of supplies unit, and Rafeh Salama, the commander of the Khan Younis Brigade.
Ahmed al-Ghandour, the commander of Northern Brigade, and Ayman Nofal, the commander of Central Brigade, were the other high-profile Hamas members killed in combat.  
Muhammad ‘Abu Khaled’ Deif, known for his elusiveness, had survived at least seven attempts on his life by Israel. He had been a key figure in orchestrating military operations against Israel.
Media outlets had reported Deif’s death, but the announcement Thursday was the first official acknowledgment from Hamas of the senior leader’s demise.
Israel initially announced in August 2024 that Deif had been assassinated in a July airstrike, but his martyrdom had not been confirmed since.
Abu Obeida said the announcement came only after completing necessary procedures, addressing security concerns dictated by battlefield conditions and verifying details.
He noted that the group had previously announced the deaths of Ghandour and Nofal during Israel’s genocide in the Gaza Strip.
Deif’s deputy, Issa, was instrumental in Hamas’s military strategies. Tama’a, responsible for overseeing the organization’s weapons in Gaza, previously served as the head of the Central Camps Brigade of Hamas. 
Thabet was considered among the top ten most senior Hamas military commanders, while Salama was known for his close association with Deif and Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar who was martyred in combat in Gaza in October. 
The Palestinian Islamic Jihad said it “stresses that the martyrdom of leaders strengthens the steadfastness of the resistance and forces the Zionist entity to retreat”.
“Islamic Jihad reaffirms its steadfastness alongside Hamas and other resistance factions to honor the blood of the martyrs, achieve full liberation, and thwart Zionist-American schemes targeting the Palestinian cause. Indeed it is a jihad of victory or martyrdom,” it said.
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine said Deif was “a symbol of meticulous planning and heroic resistance, who struck fear into the Zionist entity for decades”. 
“The PFLP affirms that their martyrdom will strengthen the resistance and that the enemy’s crimes will not halt the struggle but instead ensure the eventual collapse of the Zionist occupation.” 
The Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades

 also paid tribute to the martyrs, saying “their sacrifices in the battle of Al-Aqsa Flood represent a decisive moment in the fight for liberation”. 
“The Brigades pledge to continue their path until Palestine is free from the river to the sea. Jihad—Victory or Martyrdom,” it said.
The Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine said “the martyrdom of these leaders will not weaken the resistance but instead strengthen its determination to defeat the Zionist entity. 
“Their blood will forever light the path to liberation and the return of Palestinian rights.”
The Islamic Resistance in Iraq pledged “to honor the sacrifices of the martyrs and continue the fight until Al-Quds is fully liberated and the zionist entity is eradicated from the face of the earth.”
“The legacy of Muhammad Deif and his brothers-in-arms will continue to haunt the Zionist entity and inspire generations of resistance fighters until the occupiers meet their inevitable fate, and Al-Quds and Palestine are fully liberated,” it said.