The Hamas leadership - Abd al-Aziz Rantisi
Background Information
(Israeli security sources - June 2003)
I. Rantisi as Leader of the Gaza Hamas
Abd al-Aziz Rantisi is one of the senior leaders of the Hamas in the Gaza Strip. He replaced Saleh Shehada and Ibrahim Macadma as one of the heads of the Hamas. Rantisi is responsible for directing the policy of the Hamas terrorist attacks.
Rantisi is responsible for carrying out many terrorist attacks by the Hamas, including involvement in the terrorist attack in which four Israeli soldiers were killed at the Erez Checkpoint in the Gaza Strip Sunday.
He is also responsible for encouraging and inciting the Palestinian population against Israel and for the continuation of terrorist attacks.
Hamas, has since September 2000, and increasingly so recently, perpetrated terrorist attacks in a variety of forms: firing Qassam rockets toward Israeli communities, infiltrations into Israeli communities to murder Israeli civilians, explosive charges against IDF tanks and vehicles, shooting toward civilian vehicles in the Gaza Strip, ambushes of IDF soldiers, dispatching booby-trapped boats towards Israeli ships and sending terrorists via the sea.
The Hamas has also been involved in attempts to kidnap Israeli soldiers for use as "bargaining chips". Most of this activity was directed by the Hamas headquarters in the Gaza Strip, headed by Rantisi.
In addition, Hamas operatives smuggle weapons and terrorists from Egypt into Gaza using underground tunnels and are involved in the development and production of illegal weapons.
Due to the elimination of the leadership of the Hamas in the West Bank in recent months, the Hamas leadership in the Gaza perceives itself as the central headquarters, and as such, directs and is responsible for terrorist attacks through Hamas operatives in the West Bank.
The leadership of the Hamas maintains organizational ties with Hamas headquarters around the world, and especially the Hamas headquarters in Syria.
The Hamas leadership in Gaza is involved in the recruitment and operation of terrorist cells among Israeli Arabs, which has, so far, been thwarted by Israeli security forces . Rantisi was directly involved in directing and guiding this activity.
The Hamas considers itself an alternative to the Palestinian Authority.
Hamas tries to present a separation between the political leadership and the military wing, as if the military activity serves no political aim. In practice, the formal "military leadership" of the Hamas is subordinate to what is known as the "political leadership." However, it is this "political echelon" of the terrorist organizations, which directs, instructs and determines policy, including terrorist activity.
Questioning of Hamas operatives point to Rantisi as directing Hamas terrorist policy. His public statements serve as instructions for terrorists to carry out attacks.
The Hamas in Gaza takes advantage of the fact that the IDF does not have the presence in the Gaza Strip as it does in the West Bank, and thus Hamas continues with its widespread terrorist activity in Gaza. At the same time, none of the Palestinian Authority security apparatuses operate to thwart the terrorist attacks, which take a heavy toll in human life of Israeli civilians and soldiers.
II. Rantisi - A History of Terrorism
Rantisi began his career in the Hamas as one of the six founders of the movement in December 1987, together with Sheikh Yassin and others. In December 1992, he was removed to Lebanon, as part of the removal of 416 Hamas and Islamic Jihad operatives, and emerged as their general spokesman. Upon his return in 1993, he was arrested.
Rantisi was detained many times by the Palestinian Authority for his criticism of the PA and Arafat, but in most cases, was released after a short period.
After the return of Sheikh Yassin to the Gaza Strip in October 1997, Yassin, together with the senior operatives including Rantisi, reorganized the Hamas leadership in the Gaza Strip, in order to restore its operations.
In mid 1999, following his release from a PA prison, Rantisi returned to his position as Yassin's 'right hand man'. During talks among the Hamas leadership in Gaza and abroad and in its contact with the PA regarding ceasing terror activity, Rantisi, together with Ibrahim Macadma and with the support of the external leadership, was one of the main opponents to any cease-fire and cessation of terrorist attacks inside Israel.
Rantisi has considerable influence over the Palestinian public in general and Hamas operatives, in particular. He delivers sermons, addresses, and interviews utilizing extreme language, in which he calls for the continuation of the terrorist activity against the State of Israel and its citizens, opposing any end to the violence. This serves as instructions to the field operatives in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank to continue their terrorist activity.
The following are a variety of public statements by Rantisi calling for and encouraging attacks against Israel:
January 2001: Rantisi, quoted on the Hamas website, calls to step up the painful strikes against the "Zionist enemy" in order to create a balance of deterrence and to bring about the expulsion of the enemy. He added that "what happened in Lebanon, will also happen in Palestine."
January 2001: Rantisi notes that it is clear to all that the military wing of Hamas, the Az a-Din Al Qassam, is responsible for military operations against the "Israeli occupation forces." Rantisi also calls for the continuation of the armed Intifada, and states that [the hurling of stones] will not suffice.
April 2001: Rantisi admitted publicly that the Hamas fires mortars, and notes that in the future Israeli cities will be targeted.
May 2001: Rantisi calls on Hamas in Gaza to wage an all out war against Israel.
June 2001: Rantisi states on the Hamas website the intention to continue with suicide bombings. In addition, Rantisi praises the suicide bombers.
July 2001: Rantisi calls to strike every Israeli politician, especially Sharon and Peres (following the killing of Hamas operatives in Nablus) and noted that Az a-Din Al-Qassam operatives will respond.
March 2002: Rantisi, on the Hamas website, calls on the military wing of Hamas to carry out suicide attacks in Israel.
March 2002: During a television interview, Rantisi states that with Allah's help, we will also kill Prime Minister Sharon.
April 2002: In an interview on the Hamas website following the terrorist attack in Adura, Rantisi states that this is the beginning of a cycle of revenge and that every drop of Palestinian blood will be avenged.
October 2002: During a television interview, Rantisi calls for the military wing of Hamas to carry out suicide bombings in all Israeli territory.
March 2003: Rantisi is quoted in a Reuters article following the attack on Macadma, as stating that a new phase in the war against the Jews has been initiated, and that all Israeli leaders are legitimate targets.
March 2003: An announcement by Hamas in the Gaza Strip calls for the Az a-Din Al Qassam to strike at Israeli ministers and Knesset members.
May 2003: Rantisi calls for the continuation of Jihad (holy war) and resistance against Israeli soldiers, and states that this is the only way to free the prisoners.
May 24, 2003: Rantisi, on Radio Teheran, states that the Road Map is a scheme of Sharon's. Rantisi also notes that Sharon's acceptance of the Road Map is a conspiracy against the Palestinian nation and against the resistance.
June 2003: Interviewed in A-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper, Rantisi stated that he does not know why Abu Mazen is optimistic about a cease-fire. He stressed that resistance to the occupation will continue.
Additional statements by Rantissi regarding suicide bombings, including calls for such bombings against American targets:
On April 7, 2003, the Hamas website, quoted Rantisi discussing the suicide attack by two women against American soldiers in Iraq. Rantisi called for Muslims to blow themselves up against U.S. soldiers.
In a Reuters article on March 31, 2003, Rantisi notes that the Iraqi suicide bombings against American soldiers encourages Hamas to carry out suicide bombings against Israeli targets.
Rantisi and his associates opposed the creation of the new Palestinian government and flatly rejected any intention to cooperate with it to reduce violence.
On April 23, Rantisi tells a French news agency that this is not the time to establish a government, but rather, is the time for Jihad. Rantisi also notes that Hams would accept a Government if it would tolerate terrorism against the Zionist entity, but would not support a government that did not allow terrorist activities.
In a March 30 interview to the above-mentioned agency, Rantisi states that Hamas would not accept a government which accepts Oslo and recognizes the State of Israel.
III. Hamas Terrorism against Israel
Since 1993, the Hamas has dispatched 113 suicide bombers, which comprise half of all suicide bombers. Seventy-two suicide bombers were dispatched by the Hamas since September 2000. The Hamas has recruited and operated 18 Israeli Arab cells. In these Hamas suicide terror attacks since September 2000, 227 Israelis have been murdered and 1393 wounded.
Currently, there are 53 specific alerts of pending terrorist attacks, half of them are linked to Hamas in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
A Chronology of Terrorist Attacks Carried out by the Hamas since September 2000:
May 19, 2003: A Hamas terrorist on a bicycle blows himself up next to a military jeep in Kfar Darom (Gaza Strip). 3 soldiers are wounded.
May 18, 2003: A suicide bomber, with an explosives filled bag, blows himself up near the A-Ram Junction in Jerusalem.
May 18, 2003: A suicide bomber wearing an explosive blows himself up on a bus at the French Hill Junction in Jerusalem. 7 Israelis are killed and 20 were wounded.
May 17, 2003: A suicide bomber dressed as a religious Jew, wearing an explosive belt, blows himself up in Hebron's Gross Square, killing 2 Israeli civilians.
April 30, 2003: A suicide bomber detonates an explosive belt at the entrance to a pub on the Tel Aviv boardwalk. 3 Israeli civilians are killed, and 62 are wounded.
March 5, 2003: A suicide bomber blows himself up on the #37 bus in Haifa. 15 Israeli civilians are killed, and 42 are wounded.
January 17, 2003: An explosives lade raft, guided by a suicide bomber, explodes after Israeli Navy ships fire at the craft 4 kilometers from Dugit, in the northern Gaza Strip.
November 21, 2003: A suicide bomber detonates an explosive belt on the #20 bus on Mexico Street in Jerusalem. 11 Israelis are killed, and 50 are wounded.
October 27, 2002: A suicide bomber wearing an explosive belt blows himself up at the gas station near the entrance to the city of Ariel. 3 Israeli civilians are killed, and 17 are wounded.
October 11, 2002: A suicide bomber is arrested at the entrance to a caf before he could detonate his explosive belt.
October 10, 2002: A suicide bomber wearing an explosive belt at the Coca-Cola Junction/Bar Ilan Bridge. An Israeli civilian is killed, and 20 are wounded.
September 19, 2002: A suicide bomber detonates an explosives laden bag on the #4 bus on Allenby Street in Tel Aviv.
August 4, 2002: A suicide bomber detonates an explosive device strapped to his body on a bus travelling near Mt. Meron (northern Israel). 9 Israeli civilians are killed, and 48 are wounded.
June 18, 2002: A suicide bomber detonates an explosives laden bag on a bus travelling along Dov-Yosef Street in the Gilo neighborhood of Jerusalem. 19 civlians are killed, and 50 are wounded.
May 7, 2002: A suicide bomber detonates an explosive belt and an additional explosive device (in a bag) at a snooker club in Rishon Letzion. 16 Israeli civilians are killed, and 51 are wounded.
March 31, 2002: A suicide bomber blows himself up at the Matzah restaurant in Haifa. 15 Israeli civilians are killed, and 31 are wounded.
March 27, 2002: A suicide bomber blows himself up with an explosive belt Park Hotel in Netanya. 29 Israeli civilians are killed, and 144 are wounded.
March 9, 2002: A suicide bomber detonates an explosive device strapped to his body at the entrance the the Moment Caf in Jerusalem. 11 Israeli civilians are killed, and 58 are wounded.
March 7, 2002: A suicide bomber attempts to detonate an explosive device on his back in the Kafit caf on Emek Rafaim Street in Jerusalem.
February 6, 2002: A suicide bomber boards a bus travelling between the city of Maale Adumim and Jerusalem and attempts to detonate an explosive belt.
December 12, 2001: 2 suicide bombers detonate explosive devices next to Israeli vehicles in the area of Ganei Tal (Gaza Strip), while an additional explosive device is detonated towards another Israeli vehicle. 3 Israeli civilians are killed.
December 2, 2001: A suicide bomber detonates an explosive device concealed under a coat on a bus near Yad L'banim in Haifa. 15 civilians are killed and 35 are wounded.
December 1, 2001: 2 suicide bombers detonate explosive devices concealed in bags as well as explosive belts on Ben Yehudah Street in Jerusalem. Immediately afterwards, a booby-trapped car explodes. 11 civilians are killed and 170 are wounded.
November 26, 2001: A suicide bomber wearing an explosive belt at the Erez Checkpoint (Gaza Strip). 2 IDF soldiers are wounded.
November 8, 2001: A suicide bomber detonates an explosive device strapped to his body in the area of Bakah Al Sharikah as he attempted to travel to Israel. 2 IDF soldiers are wounded.
September 9, 2001: A suicide bomber detonates an explosive device strapped to his body at the train station in Nahariya. 3 Israeli civilians are killed, and 46 are wounded.
September 4, 2001: A suicide bomber detonates an explosive device strapped to his body on Neviim Street in Jerusalem. 13 Israeli civilians are wounded.
August 9, 2001: A suicide bomber blows himself up at the Sbarro restaurant in Jerusale, located on King George and Jaffa Street in Jerusalem. 15 Israelis are killed and 110 wounded.
August 8, 2001: A suicide bomber detonates a booby-trapped car next to the Bekaot chcekpoint in the West Bank.
July 9, 2001: A suicide bomber detonates a booby-trapped car next to an IDF vehicle in the area of Gush Katif (Gaza Strip). 1 IDF soldier is wounded.
June 22, 2001: A suicide bomber detonates a booby-trapped car near IDF forces in Alei Sinai (Gush Katif). 2 IDF soldiers are killed, and another soldier is wounded.
June 1, 2001: A suicide bomber blows himself up at the entrance to the Dolphinarium club in Tel Aviv. 22 Israeli civilians are killed, and 83 are wounded.
May 29, 2001: 2 terrorists approach an IDF position at the Tofah Junction (Gaza Strip). 1 terrorist detonates an explosive device strapped to his body, and the other hurled grenades and opened fire. 2 IDF soldiers are killed.
May 25, 2001: A suicide bomber detonates an explsosives filled container weighing 48 kilograms and 3 gas ballons at the Netzarim Junction in the Gaza Strip.
May 18, 2001: A suicide bomber detonates an explosive device strapped to his body at the entrance to a Netanya Mall. 5 Israeli civilians are killed, and 86 are wounded.
April 29, 2001: A suicide bomber detonates a booby-trapped car near a bus carrying children at Dir Sharif Junction.
April 22, 2001: A suicide bomber detonates an explosive device strapped to his body near a bus stop in the city of Kfar Sabba. 1 Israeli was killed, and 50 are wounded.
March 28, 2001: A suicide bomber blows himself up near a gas station at the Neveh Yamin/Kfar Sabba Junction. 2 Israeli civilians are killed, and 4 are wounded.
March 27, 2001: A suicide bomber bomber detonates an explosive strapped to his body, near an Israeli bus at French Hill Junction in Jerusalem. The suicide bomber was killed. 21 Israeli civilians were wounded.
March 4, 2001: A suicide bomber detonates an explosives laden case on the main street of Netanaya.
March 1, 2001: A suicide bomber blows himself up while in a taxi, near Mi Ami Junction. 1 Israeli civilian is killed, and 10 are wounded.
January 1, 2001: A booby-trapped car explodes in Netanya. 35 Israeli civilians are wounded.
December 22, 2000: A suicide bomber wearing an explosive belt, blows himself up at the entrance to a resturant in the Jordan Valley. 3 Israeli civilians are wounded.
December 15, 2000: A suicide bomber attempts to detonate an explosive belt against Israeli security forces near the Erez Checkpoint. The suicide bomber also attempts to stab Israeli security personnel.
November 6, 2000: A booby-trapped raft explodes near an Israeli Navy Dabur craft, near the Israel-Egypt border in Rafah.