Israel Assassinates Hamas Founder Sheikh Ahmed Yassin in Gaza

The Assassination

Israeli Apache helicopters fired missiles at Sheikh Ahmed Yassin as he left dawn prayers at a Gaza City mosque, killing the quadriplegic Hamas founder and spiritual leader along with seven others. The wheelchair-bound cleric, 67, had been Israel’s most wanted Palestinian for years.

Operation Details

The strike:

Three missiles fired at 5:00 AM
Yassin killed instantly outside mosque
Seven others dead, including two bodyguards
17 wounded in attack
Hundreds of worshippers witnessed killing

Target Significance

Sheikh Yassin’s role:

Founded Hamas in 1987
Spiritual authority for military operations
Opposed peace process
Advocated Israel’s destruction
Symbol of Palestinian resistance

Immediate Reactions

Palestinian Response

Unprecedented crowds filled Gaza streets:

“Sheikh Yassin’s blood will not be wasted. The gates of hell have opened for the Zionists,” - Abdel Aziz Rantisi, Hamas leader

Hamas vows:

“Earthquake” revenge attacks
All Israelis legitimate targets
Sharon and Cabinet marked for death
Mobilization of all cells

Israeli Justification

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon defended the killing:

“Yassin was responsible for deaths of hundreds”
“Israel will continue war on terror”
“No immunity for terror masters”
“Strategic blow to Hamas infrastructure”

International Condemnation

Global Outcry

United Nations:

Kofi Annan condemns “extrajudicial killing”
Security Council emergency session
Calls for restraint from both sides

European Union:

“Violation of international law”
Suspends strategic dialogue with Israel
Warns of escalation consequences

Arab World:

Mass protests across region
Arab League emergency meeting
Calls for international protection

US Position

Carefully worded response:

“Deeply troubled” by killing
Urges all parties to show restraint
Reaffirms Israel’s right to self-defense
Concern about peace process impact

Strategic Implications

Hamas Leadership

Power transition considerations:

Abdel Aziz Rantisi assumes Gaza leadership
Khaled Mashaal leads from Damascus
Military wing autonomy increases
Radicalization expected

Israeli Calculation

Security establishment divided:

Deterrence advocates claim success
Critics warn of backlash
Intelligence predicts revenge attacks
Political gains for Sharon domestically

Regional Consequences

Escalation Cycle

Predictable pattern emerges:

Mass funerals become recruitment events
Suicide bombing attempts increase
Israeli closures and operations expand
International mediation efforts fail

Peace Process Impact

Roadmap effectively dead:

Palestinian moderates weakened
Israeli public supports tough measures
International credibility damaged
Two-state solution prospects dim

Historical Context

Targeted Killing Policy

Israel’s assassination campaign statistics:

Over 150 Palestinians killed since 2000
Collateral damage: 100+ civilians
Legal challenges in Israeli courts
International law violations cited

Previous Attempts

Israel previously targeted Yassin:

September 2003: F-16 strike missed
House bombing killed guard
Yassin survived multiple attempts
Security constantly upgraded

Looking Ahead

The assassination marked a turning point in Israeli-Palestinian violence, eliminating any distinction between political and military wings of Palestinian organizations and setting precedent for future targeted killings of political leaders. The cycle of retaliation would intensify in coming months.