Rafa Salama | |
|---|---|
| Native name | رافع سلامة |
| Died | 13 July 2024 (per Israel) Al-Mawasi, Khan Yunis, Gaza Strip |
| Cause of death | Airstrike (unconfirmed) |
| Allegiance |  Hamas |
| Years of service | 1990s–2024 |
| Commands | Head of Khan Yunis Brigade of Al-Qassam Brigades |
| Battles/wars | |
| Hamas biographies |
|---|
| Map: Birthplaces and family origins. |
Rafa Salama (Arabic: رافع سلامة) was a Palestinian militant and the head of the Khan Yunis branch of the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas. Israel claims to have assassinated him in an airstrike on Al-Mawasi refugee camp on 13 July 2024, during the Israel–Hamas war, however Hamas has not confirmed his fate.[1][2]
Salama initially worked at a school in Khan Yunis before joining Hamas in the early 1990s and being appointed as commander of the Khan Yunis brigade under the command of Mohammed Sinwar. Israel has accused Salama of orchestrating the 2006 Gaza cross-border raid and capture of Gilad Shalit, as well as the 7 October attack on Israel.[1][2]
Israel bombed Salama's family home in Al-Mawasi on 13 July 2024, allegedly killing both Rafa Salama and head of the Al-Qassam Brigades, Mohammed Deif. The massive airstrike on the camp for displaced people also resulting in the killing of at least 90 Palestinians and injury of over 300.[3] According to the Saudi channel Al-Hadath, Rafa Salama was killed in the strike while Deif was seriously wounded.[4] Hamas dismissed the IDF's claims that it had targeted its leaders, labeling them as "false allegations" that aimed to "cover up the scale of the horrific massacre".[5]
On Hamas most wanted playing cards, Salama was on the Jack of Diamonds card.
References
[edit]- ^ a b Clarke-Billings, Lucy (14 July 2024). "IDF says senior Hamas commander Rafa Salama killed in Israeli air strike". BBC. Retrieved 9 August 2024.
- ^ a b "Who was Rafa Salama, the Hamas military commander 'killed by Israel'?". The New Arab. 15 July 2024.
- ^ Gadzo, Mersiha. "Israel's war on Gaza updates: Israeli strikes on al-Mawasi kill at least 90". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 13 July 2024. Retrieved 2024-07-15.
- ^ Tondo, Lorenzo; Tantesh, Malak A. (2024-07-13). "Hamas mastermind of 7 October attack target of deadly Gaza strike, claims Israel". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 3 August 2024. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
- ^ Bisset, Victoria; Chamaa, Mohamad El (2024-07-13). "Israel targets Hamas military leader; 71 killed in Mawasi strike, officials say". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on 2024-07-13. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
