The circle closes Israel around the top executives of Hamas. The very fresh killing of Saleh al-Arouri, number two in the pro-Palestinian organization, as well as a link between the group, Iran and Hezbollah, could be the first in a long series. Yes, because Tel Aviv has repeatedly stated that its goal is to neutralize every name that appears in it blacklist. A list full of ultra-wanted terrorists, untraceable for years and hidden in a golden exile abroad. It doesn't matter if eliminating them one by one risks spreading the conflict, currently confined to the Gaza Strip, to the rest of the Middle East: Israel wants to complete the mission. So here are the Hamas men the Mossad is targeting.
Ismail Haniyeh: the supreme leader
Ismail Haniyeh he is the supreme leader of Hamas. He and his family left their home in Al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza about two years ago to move, it seems, to luxury hotels in Doha. His life is shaped by the fight against Israel, which cost him three years in prison during the first Intifada. He lived in Lebanon until 1992, when he decided to return to Gaza and rise into the ranks of the Palestinian fundamentalist movement. In 2017, he became head of Hamas' political bureau.
Yahya Sinwar: the spirit of Gaza
Yahya Sinwar He is the head of the political wing of Hamas in Gaza, he is an important decision-maker and is responsible for the political line to be followed, including – and above all – towards Israel. He was released in a prisoner swap with Israel in 2011 after spending more than 20 years in prison and sentenced to four life sentences. This man is also the mastermind who allowed Hamas to receive millions of dollars from Hamas Qatar to alleviate the poverty of the residents of the Gaza Strip.
Mohammed Deif: the “brain”
They gave him the nickname “mentally ill“but also the”Spirit of Gaza“. Few have so much direct contact with him that there are even those who doubt his true identity. He is Israel's public enemy number one, who has repeatedly unsuccessfully tried to kill him over the past twenty years. Mohammad Deif he is the military commander of Hamas. He escaped from an Israeli prison and is accused of organizing countless attacks. There are very rare images of him from many years ago, but a recent photo of him was released by the Israeli Defense Forces in recent days. Deif would have sought refuge in the Gaza tunnels or perhaps fled abroad.
Khaled Meshal: the head of the political office
This brings us to the head of Hamas's political office abroad and one of the movement's founders. Former Hamas number one, Khaled Meshal In 2017 he gave way to Haniyeh. In September 1997, he was the target of an assassination attempt ordered by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He currently heads the group's “external” politburo and lives in Qatar.
Marwan Issa: one of the minds of October 7th
Marwan Issa is the deputy head of Al-Qassam Brigades. Like other Hamas leaders, he is considered one of the organizers of the October 7 offensive. The IDF has been trying to kill him for some time. The Israeli military killed his brother and destroyed his house twice, but still couldn't take him away. His nickname is symbolic: “the shadow“. It should hide in the Gaza Tunnel.
Mahmoud Zahar: the oldest member
He is part of Hamas' political office, one of the group's founders and a senior and experienced member. He was already targeted by Israel, which tried in vain to kill him in 2003.