Killing of Ahmed Yassin

Killing of Ahmed Yassin
Date22 March 2004; 20 years ago (2004-03-22)
LocationSabra, Gaza Strip
TypeAirstrike from helicopter
TargetAhmed Yassin
PerpetratorIsrael Defense Forces
Deaths10

On 22 March 2004, the Palestinian leader and one of the founders of Hamas, Ahmed Yassin, 67,[a] was assassinated in Gaza City. Sheikh Ahmed Yassin - who used a wheelchair due to being quadriplegic since his adolescence - was returning from performing the Fajr prayer,[1] and his companions were also killed immediately.[2] His assassination caused a state of anger and Palestinian factions vowed revenge, with Hamas saying that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon "opened the gates of hell." Shortly after the attack, Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi took over the leadership of the movement in the Gaza Strip.[3]

Yassin survived an attempt on his life on 6 September 2003.[4] According to Israeli radio, Sharon personally supervised the attack on Yassin.[5]


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  1. ^ "Yassin was ideological force behind Hamas". NBC News. 22 March 2004.
  2. ^ Bennet, James (22 March 2004). "Leader of Hamas Killed by Missile in Israeli Strike". The New York Times.
  3. ^ Hill, Don (8 April 2008). "Middle East: Rantisi, Mashal Chosen To Lead Hamas After Yassin Assassination". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty – via www.rferl.org.
  4. ^ "Hamas founder targeted in Gaza airstrike". CNN. 6 September 2003.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference auto1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).