In March, security tensions in the Gaza Strip reached their highest since the end of the 2014 war, amid an exchange of rocket fire, Israeli maneuvers along the borders, and Israeli warnings that the cautious calm could end.
The situation escalated on March 24 when unknown gunmen assassinated Mazen Faqha, a former prisoner and commander in Hamas’ military wing, Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, in the Tal al-Hawa neighborhood west of Gaza City. Four shots were fired into his head and chest from a silencer-fitted gun, killing him instantly.
Hamas was shocked by Faqha’s assassination for several reasons. First, Faqha was a prominent military leader — and after his death al-Qassam Brigades put up pictures on its website depicting him carrying out training in the Gaza Strip. Second, the assassination took place in the heart of Gaza, Hamas’ stronghold, where the movement brags about maintaining a stable security situation. Third, Faqha was shot at close range, while previous Israeli assassinations were executed by airstrikes. Those responsible remain at large.
Between 2002 and 2014, Israel killed several Hamas operatives in airstrikes, most prominently Ahmed Yassin, the movement’s founder, and other senior leaders such as Abdel Aziz al-Rantissi, Salah Shehadeh, Adnan al-Ghoul and Ahmed al-Jabari.
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