Yahya Ayyash
In light of recent developments in Israel and the Middle-East, much interest has been generated in the "The Engineer". Yahya Ayyash allegedly led the military wing of Hamas and was well known for his proficiency as a "bomb maker". He was killed on Jan 5, 1996 by improvised explosive device contained within his cellular telephone. Israeli security officials have neither confirmed nor denied their involvement in Ayyash's death, but it is known that he was #1 on their most wanted list.
Ramadan Abullah Shalah
Shalah is reported to be the new operational leader of the Islamic Holy War group. Islamic Holy War or Jihad is an off-shoot of Hamas, although they may not be under direct operational control of them. Shalah and his group claimed that it was one of their members that undertook at least one of the recent suicide bus bombings in Jerusalem. Shalah was last reported to be living in Syria.
Mohammed Dief
Dief is believed to have assumed command of the military brigades of Hamas following the death of Ayyash. He reportedly leads from a small house on the Gaza Strip, although he is known to travel frequently to both Lebanon and Syria. Mohammed Deif, who was considered Israel's most wanted man until he was arrested by Palestinian police in May, 2000. Deif is alleged to be the mastermind behind a 1996 Jerusalem bus bombing that killed 26 people as well as other terrorist acts.
Sheik Ahmed Yassin
Firebrand and spiritual leader of Hamas, Yassin describes himself as a
"soldier of Hamas" but disavows any knowledge of any specific attack
plans to be undertaken by the militants. In and out of jail on several
occasions, Yassin is well known to be more militant than Yassar Arafat and PLO
political operatives. Yassin reportedly wields considerable influence over Hamas'
overall tactics, according to several counter-terrorist experts.
(Associated Press Photo)
This page best viewed with Netscape 4.0. It is still under construction....
Return to the Counter-Terrorism Operations Page