Table of assassinations
Name Hussein Mohammed Salem Abayat
Age 37
From al-Ta’amreh, Bethlehem district
Political party Fatah commander of the Southern Bethlehem area
Prison history
When he was killed 9 November 2000
Where he was killed Beit Sahour
How it happened at 10:30, Abayat and four other persons drove off in two cars when they noticed three Israeli military gunships circling above them. They came to a turn on the road, and as the cars slowed down, the helicopters fired three rockets: two at Abayat’s car and one at the other car. Abayat was killed instantly.
The Israeli army acknowledged that Abayat was targeted and that the operation was a success. Two women standing on the road were also killed in the attack.
Name Jamal Abdel-Qader Hasan Abdel-Razek
Age 30
From Rafah, Gaza Strip
Political party Fatah, formed military groups of Fatah activists in Rafah and Khan Younis
Prison history Detained for 18 months in 1989, for 40 days in 1990, and sentenced to 17 years imprisonment in 1991. He was released on 9 September 1999.
When he was killed 22 November 2000
Where he was killed Morag junction, Gaza Strip
How it happened At about 10:30 a.m., Abdel-Razek was on his way to university in a car driven by his friend Awni Dheir. They noticed three helicopters hovering above them when they came to Morag junction, but could not see any Israeli tank or military vehicle. Their car was driving behind a white Mercedes taxi. Suddenly an Israeli military soldiers’ carrier blocked the way in front of the two vehicles at Morag junction, and soldiers opened fire from their machine guns at the two Palestinian vehicles. Over 200 bullets were fired. Abdel-Razek and Dheir were killed as well as two occupants of the taxi. The driver of the taxi survived and was arrested by the Israelis.
The Israeli army claims that its original intention had been to arrest Abdel-Razek, but they had to shoot when he pulled out a kalashnikov and attempted to open fire. The original statement from the army announced that a cell of four Fatah activists had been killed in an offensive action.
Name Ibrahim Bani Odeh
Age 34
From Tammoun village, near Nablus
Political party Hamas, one of the leaders of Izzeddin al-Qassam brigades
Prison history was held for three years by the Palestinian Authority as a political prisoner in Juneid prison, until he was temporarily released on 22 November 2000 (?)
When he was killed 23 November 2000
Where he was killed center of Nablus, on Jamal Abdel Nasser Street
How it happened According to Palestinian sources, Ibrahim Bani Odeh was used to drive the car of his relative Allan Kharyoush Bani Odeh. On 23 November, Allan called Ibrahim to tell him that he need to go to Ramallah for two days and gave him once again the keys of his car. A bomb had been planted in the upper part of the driver’s seat, and it exploded when Ibrahim headed off driving.
The Palestinian authority claims that Allan Odeh was a collaborator with the Israeli intelligence service Shin Bet, and Allan was sentenced to death by hanging by the State Security Court in Nablus on 7 December 2000, after a speedy trial that lasted only two hours. He was defended by appointed defense attorneys who are not practicing lawyers and who were given only 15 minutes to look at his case.
The Israeli authorities deny any involvement in the death of Ibrahim Bani Odeh.
Name Mahmoud Yousef al-Mughrabi
Age 24
From Deheishe refugee camp, near Bethlehem
Political party Fatah
Prison history None
When he was killed 10 December 2000
Where he was killed Beit Jala, Talitha Qumi Street (a bypass road to the west of Beit Jala)
How it happened Shot five times at close range in the head and chest by an Israeli special unit at dawn
Name Anwar Mahmoud Ahmad Hamran
Age 28
From Arraba, near Jenin (living and studying in Nablus)
Political party One of the leaders of the military branch of Islamic Jihad
Prison history Detained by Israel for two years in 1990 for his participation in the first intifada. He joined the Islamic Jihad movement in prison. Arrested again shortly after his release and detained for 3 and a half years, until 1996. Arrested by the Palestinian Authority on 17 October 1998 and detained as a political prisoner, under suspicion that he had participated in a suicide bombing in West Jerusalem. Released on 11 October 2000.
When he was killed 11 December 2000
Where he was killed Outside al-Quds Open University in Nablus
How it happened At about 1 p.m. Hamran left his small bookshop outside the university building to go to his car in the parking. He walked only a few meters when Israeli forces fired on him from Mount Gerazim. His body was hit by 19 bullets.
Name Yousef Ahmed Abu Swayeh
Age 26
From Irtas village, near Bethlehem
Political party Fatah, possibly with links to Abayat
Prison history Detained in Israel from 1993 to 1994, then detained by the Palestinian Authority for 6 months in 1994. He was arrested again in December 1998 and detained for one and a half year by the Palestinian Preventive Security, until he was released in September 2000.
When he was killed 12 December 2000
Where he was killed Near his house in Irtas
How it happened Abu Swayeh was on his way home after work, when Israeli soldiers opened fire from a main road. He was killed before he could escape. His body had been hit by 42 bullets according to an interview done by our fieldworker with the doctors in the hospital.