Raed al Atar
Raed al Atar (born 1974) is the commander of the Rafah company of the Hamas Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades and member of the Hamas high military council. According to the Congressional Research Service analyst Jim Zanotti, his command was important due to Rafah being the destination point for the smuggling tunnels from Egypt.[1] In 2010, he reportedly held significant power and influence in the Gaza Strip, and asserted authority over the smuggling tunnels.[2][3]
In April 1995, he was sentenced in a quick trial by the Palestinian Authority court to two years in jail for training with illegal weapons.[4][5]
On Feb 1,1999 a Palestinian police captain, Rifat Joudah, was killed in Gaza a shootout with al-Attar and two other members of Hamas, as he was trying to arrest them. The men then sped away, running over an 8-year-old girl, Fadwa Abu Jerwana.[6] The girl died. The men were subsequently arrested in the Shati refugee camp following a second exchange of fire with security forces. In April that year, al-Attar was sentenced to death by the Palestinian Authority for the killing of a Joudah. As soon as the death sentence was pronounced, Attar’s relatives took to the streets and stoned the Joudeh home.[7] Violent protests in Gaza resulted in two deaths.[8][9] Following the riots and criticism of the trial, Yasser Arafat met with civic leaders in Rafah and asked them to restore calm, promising to review the death sentence.[10][11]
During the 2009 Gaza War, al Atar fled to El Arish in Sinai, along with Mohammed Sanwar, one of the militants behind the abduction of Gilad Shalit.[12]
That year, Atar threatened Israel, telling reporters that if Israel does not accept the Hamas demands to free 1,450 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, Hamas would kidnap more soldiers.[3]
Reports claim that Atar authorized the August 2010 firing of Grad-style rockets from the Sinai Peninsula at Eilat, Israel and Aqaba, Jordan.[1][13][14] According to Palestinian sources, Raed authorized the attack, with the approval of the Hamas leadership abroad, including Khaled Meshal, and with the backing of Iranian intelligence agents. According to some reports, the attack took place without the knowledge of his direct commander, Ahmed Jabari,[2] while according to Egyptian officials, such an operation could not have been carried out without Jabari's approval.[15]
References
- ^ a b
This article incorporates public domain material from Jim Zanotti. Hamas: Background and Issues for Congress (PDF). Congressional Research Service.
- ^ a b Anshel Pfeffer, Avi Issacharoff. PA: Hamas Military Chief in Rafah Ordered Rocket Attacks on Eilat, Aqaba. Haaretz. August 6, 2010
- ^ a b Hamas threats to kidnap more Israeli soldiers. Xinhua. 2009-03-28
- ^ Palestinians Hold Quick, Secret Trials. NY Times.
- ^ Palestinian Authority alleged to run secret 'trials' lasting just a few minutes. The Baltimore Sun. May 04, 1995
- ^ "Un policía palestino y una niña mueren en un tiroteo con militantes de Hamás" (In Spanish). El Pais. 02/02/1999
- ^ Death penalty fallout challenges Arafat. Laredo Morning Times. March 15, 1999.
- ^ Joel Greenberg, 2 Killed in Riots In Gaza Over Death Sentence / Palestinian court ruling causes demonstrations. March 11, 1999. New York Times
- ^ Barzak, Ibrahim. Death sentence decision puts Arafat's judgement to the test. Associated Press. The Free Lance-Star. Mar 15, 1999
- ^ Khaled Amayreh. Arafat bows to street pressure, Al Ahram.
- ^ San Francisco Chronicle, 2/2/1999, p.A10
- ^ Amos Harel. Reservists join Gaza fighting ahead of third stage of Operation Cast Lead. January 2009.
- ^ Egypt Reveals Arrest Of Terror Squad On The Sinai. Palestine News Network
- ^ Jack Khoury. Egypt held alleged terror squad prior to Eilat rocket attack, report says. Haaretz, 08.08.10
- ^ Avi Issacharoff. Arab paper: Intel chief Diskin visited Cairo to discuss rockets
