On the morning of March 22 in an operation in the Northern Gaza Strip, the IDF targeted a vehicle carrying the head of the Hamas terror organization, Ahmed Yassin and his aides. Yassin who was personally responsible for numerous terrorist attacks, resulting in the deaths of many Israeli and foreign civilians - was killed in the attack.

Yassin was the founder of the Gaza-based Hamas terrorist organizationthe and a dominant authority of the Hamas leadership. He provided direct oversight for the planning, orchestrating and execution of terrorist attacks by the organization.

In this capacity, Yassin personally gave his approval for the launching of Kassam rockets against Israeli cities, as well as for the Hamas' numerous terrorist bombings and suicide operations against Israeli civilians.

Yassin, , was imprisoned in Israel twice: in 1984 and 1989. In 1989, he was sentenced for life, on account of involvement in the murder of IDF soldiers, Avi Sasport and Ilan Sadon, and possession of weapons.

Once released prison in 1997, as part of an agreement signed with Jordan (after the targeting attempt on Haled Mashal), Yassin became involved in Hamas terrorist activities. His involvement included direction of terrorist operations and tunneling of funds to terrorist activity. In 1998, Yassin campaigned throughout Arab countries to raise millions of dollars worth financial aid to help Hamas carry out terrorist operations.

During his public appearances, Yassin repeatedly called to continue the "armed struggle" and to carry out terrorist attacks. Yassin used to emphasize the importance of kidnapping Israelis for purpose of negotiation and release of Palestinian terrorists.

The successful Israeli operation against Yassin constitutes a significant blow to this central pillar of the Hamas terrorist organization, and a major setback to its terrorist infrastructure

The Israeli Operation against the Leader of the Hamas

Films: Ahmed Yassin's Statements to the Media


The HAMAS (in Arabic, an acronym for "Harakat Al-Muqawama Al-Islamia" -- Islamic Resistance Movement -- and a word meaning courage and bravery) is a radical Islamic fundamentalist organization which became active in the early stages of the intifada. The HAMAS has played a major role in violent fundamentalist subversion and radical terrorist operations against both Israelis and Arabs, and employs its own "shock troops" for these purposes. The HAMAS makes frequent use of radical Islamic motifs, both in order to broaden its ranks and as a weapon against those whom it defines as its enemies. In its initial period, the movement was headed primarily by people identified with the Muslim Brotherhood in the territories.

Hamas terrorist attacks

Other Hamas terrorists who were also killed with Sheikh Ahmed Yassin


c Targeting Terrorists - Legal Aspects