Jamal Abu Samhadana
Jamal Abu Samhadana (Arabic: جمال أبو سمهدانة, February 8, 1963 – June 8, 2006), from Rafah in the Gaza Strip, was the founder of the Popular Resistance Committees (which have been held responsible for firing missiles into Israel),[1] a former Fatah and Tanzim member, and number two on Israel's list of wanted terrorists. On 20 April 2006 he was appointed by Said Seyam, Interior Minister of the Palestinian National Authority's new Hamas-led government, as director general of the police forces in the Interior Ministry.[2][3]
In April 2006, Samhadana was quoted as saying that 'Jews are the "only enemy", and that he will "carry a rifle" and "pull the trigger" to defend the Palestinian people'.[4]
The appointment "sparked new criticism from the U.S. and Israel and intensified the struggle for control of some 70,000 Palestinian security forces" between Hamas and President Mahmoud Abbas.[5] Abbas subsequently issued a decree preventing the formation of the force that Abu Samhadana was to have headed.[6] However, Hamas defied the President's veto and proceeded with the nomination.
Abu Samhadana survived an Israeli missile strike in the Gaza Strip in December 2004.[7]
On June 8 2006, Samhadana was killed in a targeted killing, along with at least three other PRC members, by four missiles fired by Israeli Apache helicopters, guided by Israeli reconnaissance drones, at a PRC camp in Rafah.[8][9][10][11][12] The Israeli military said the militants were planning a large-scale attack on Israel.[13]
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ Hamas defies 'security force' ban, BBC News Online, 21 April, 2006.
- ^ Rocket chief gets top post, Ynet News, 20 April, 2006.
- ^ Amos Harel and Arnon Regular, Wanted militant tapped for post in PA Interior Min., April 23, 2006.
- ^ Jane Flanagan Security head calls Jews 'enemy', Sunday Telegraph, 23 April, 2006.
- ^ Eric Westervelt, Hamas' New Security Force Rankles Israel, PLO, National Public Radio, 21 April, 2006.
- ^ Conal Urquhart, Palestinian president vetoes Hamas police, The Guardian, 22 April, 2006.
- ^ Palestinians survive Israeli bid on life, Al jazeera, 10 December 2004.
- ^ "Police have 90 warnings of terror attacks to avenge Gaza shelling; IDF chief expresses sorrow for civilian casualties; Hamas vows to end truce; IAF strike kills 3 militants", Haaretz, Amos Harel and Avi Issacharoff, June 8, 2006. Retrieved October 17, 2010.
- ^ "IAF strike kills top PA official", Yediot Acharonot, Ali Waked, June 9, 2006. Retrieved October 17, 2010.
- ^ "Israeli Airstrike Kills Top Hamas Enforcer in Gaza". Fox News. June 8, 2006. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,198790,00.html. Retrieved May 22, 2010.
- ^ "Middle East; Timeline of recent developments". CBC News. July 17, 2006. http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/middleeast/timeline_recent.html. Retrieved May 22, 2010.
- ^ "Palestinians Protest Against Israeli Targeted Killing". Xinhua News Agency. June 9, 2006. http://french1.china.org.cn/english/international/170866.htm. Retrieved May 22, 2010.
- ^ Ibrahim Barzak (June 8, 2006). "Palestinian Militant Faction Leader Killed". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/08/AR2006060800308.html. Retrieved May 22, 2010.
[edit] External links
- On Patrol with the Killer Israel Dreads Hala Jaber, Sunday Times, 29 December, 2002.
[edit] Video
- Hamas sets out vision for future, BBC News Online, 27 March, 2006.
