Special to WorldTribune.com

Hamas “chief-of-staff” Mohammad Deif, thought killed during Israel’s Operation Protective Edge last August, survived the strike, but the military commander charged with informing on Deif was executed by the terror group.

Israel’s Channel 2 News Online reported on July 20 that Muhammad Shtiawi was executed by Hamas for providing Israel with the intelligence that led to an Aug. 19, 2014 strike that killed Deif’s wife, daughter and infant son.

Deif was originally reported to have been killed as well, but apparently survived, sustaining injuries.

Deif, commander of the military arm of Hamas, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, has been involved in numerous terror attacks, including kidnappings of Israeli soldiers and bus bombings inside Israel. The Israelis have sought him out for almost 20 years.

After rumors followed by denials of Deif’s death had circulated, reports said it was evident in April of this year that he had survived the 2014 attack and returned to lead Hamas’ military operations.

  commander said to have betrayed him executed, Hamas ‘chief-of-staff’ survived Israeli attack, Mohammad Deif, Operation Protective Edge, WorldTribune.com