Faiq Al-Mabhouh

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Fayeq Al-Mabhouh[A]
Personal details
Born18 December 1968
Jabalia refugee camp
Died18 March 2024
Al-Shifa Hospital
Political partyHamas
Spousemarried after 2007, until his death in 2024.[1]
Children2 sons (Ezzedeen and Mahmoud) and 2 daughters.[1]
ParentHis father was from Bayt Tima (Arabic: بيت طيما ) near Ashkelon[1]
Military service
Allegiance Palestine
Rank Brigadier General [2][3]
CommandsState of Palestine Palestinian Civil Police Force, Gaza Strip
Battles/wars

Brigadier General Fayeq Mabhouh[2] (or "Faiq Al-Mabhouh",[A] Arabic: فائق المبحوح, romanized: "Fā'eq Al-Mabħouħ", Hebrew: פאיק אל מבחוח)[1][5] was the Director-General of Central Operations in the Ministry of the Interior and National Security in the Gaza Strip.[1] He was the leader of their crisis management team. His most notable recent responsibilities related to civilian disaster management, such as coordination and enforcement of restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.[3][4][6]

Media reports varied in the way they described his role at the time of his death, but he was most often described as a police officer or the head of the Hamas government's "internal security" forces.[7]

He was killed by the Israeli Defense Forces during a raid on Al-Shifa hospital.

Duties[edit]

Mabhouh held the rank of brigadier general in the Hamas government's Ministry of the Interior and National Security. He was not linked to the current military activities of Hamas's armed wing,[3] but he was one of the most influential people in managing the civilian activities of the Hamas government in the Gaza Strip.[3] His specific duties at the time of his death are disputed.[8][9]

Israeli sources claimed that as the head of Hamas's internal security forces he was in charge of quashing political dissent across the Gaza Strip.[10] Some pro-Israel media claimed Mabhouh had been appointed to intimidate local Gazan clans in order to thwart them from cooperating with Israel on guarding the distribution of humanitarian aid,[11] and accused him of "orchestrating" the execution of the leader of the Doghmush clan the previous week.[11] The clan allegedly denied this, and claimed the leader and his family were killed by an airstrike.[12]

Palestinians said Mabhouh’s current position was the head of police in the Gaza strip and had been helping coordinate for aid deliveries to the northern regions of the Gaza Strip.[13] Palestinian media described him as the official responsible for coordinating with the tribes and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) to bring and secure humanitarian aid into northern Gaza.[14] Hamas released a statement that said that, the assassination came two days after successful efforts to bring 15 aid trucks into northern Gaza," and they accused the IDF of aiming to, "spread chaos and prevent aid from reaching Gaza City and the other northern governorates".[1][B]

Sources told The New Arab (UK edition):[15] "The occupation government had responded to the mediators earlier by saying that they did not mind the presence of some Palestinian police, with the aim of participating in the aid distribution process, but it seems that the occupation army was surprised by the level of organisation and the great success of the process of entering aid into the northernmost areas of Beit Hanoun and Jabalia, more than four months after aid stopped arriving in those areas, which prompted him to forcefully enter that line to prevent any presence that indicates administrative and field control by the Hamas movement".[15]

Pandemic management[edit]

See also: COVID-19 pandemic in Palestine § Gaza

His other recent work included leading the Crisis Management Team in the Ministry of Interior during the during COVID-19 pandemic.[3][4][6] Fayeq played a prominent role in communicating with the public about the changing situation. He regularly appeared in video announcements on Al-Aqsa TV and social media channels, and gave interviews to local media to explain changes in restrictions. The Gaza Strip restrictions took the "flattening the curve" approach of slowing the spread of infections rather than preventing them completely.[6] The restrictions imposed were similar to those imposed by most western countries,[4] and much more relaxed than China, Australia, or other Western Pacific nations that maintained a zero COVID policy.[4] They tried to avoid full lockdowns by implementing partial measures like weekend (Friday to Saturday) lockdowns and curfew,[4][6] the Friday to Saturday lockdowns included mosques being closed for Friday prayers. But during times while the mosques were open, one creative measure initiated by Gaza’s ministry of health was to replace the mosque preachers with doctors who gave health information seminars.[16]

Death[edit]

During an IDF raid on Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Fayeq Mabhouh was killed in what some sources described as a firefight between "Hamas militants" and Israeli troops.[17][18] But other sources describe it as an assassination or execution.[19]

The raid was launched at approximately 2:30 am, by troops from the IDF’s 401st Armored Brigade and other units, including special forces and the Shin Bet security agency encircling the hospital.[17]

According to the IDF, Fayeq Mabhouh refused to surrender to troops and instead continued firing at Israeli security forces until he was killed.[11] The IDF initially claimed to have killed 20 other "terrorists" alongside Fayeq.[20] The IDF claimed that by the evening of Monday 18 March, their troops had killed 20 "Hamas" gunmen inside the hospital premises and another 20 were killed in the surrounding area.[17]

Before the IDF found Fayeq (in or near the hospital) they raided his family home and kicked out his wife and children.[1][21] Fayeq’s brother was captured in a neighbourhood near the hospital.[1]

Some sources suggest that the gun battle happened outside the hospital.[1] The exact circumstances of his death are unverifiable.

Response to his death[edit]

The Israel Arabic account of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the X platform announced the killing of Al-Mabhouh, describing him as, "the head of the Operations Directorate of the Internal Security Service of the Hamas terrorist organization."[22]

Hamas released an extremely strongly worded statement, in which they claimed the killing of a civilian police officer was a violation of international law.[23] It read, in part, "This terrorist crime, by targeting civilian police protected under international humanitarian law, is further evidence of the Nazi enemy’s efforts to spread chaos, undermine societal peace in the Gaza Strip, and perpetuate the state of famine from which our people suffer, in implementation of the plan of a war of extermination and the displacement of our people from their land."[23][C]

Arabic language social media speculated about the motives for the killing and the attack on the hospital, with comments such as, "The trucks passed over the past two days peacefully, without chaos, massacres, stampedes, wounded, or martyrs, but the criminal occupation does not like it."[22] It was rumoured that a large part of the Israeli motive was the failure of the Israeli plan to replace the police in Gaza with the clans (such as the Doghmush clan) to distribute aid and enforce the law.[22]

Early life and family[edit]

Fayeq was born in Jabalia refugee camp,[24][1] He had 13 siblings including Mahmoud al-Mabhouh,[24] and another brother who was captured on the day Fayeq was killed.[1] Their father immigrated to the Jabalia camp in the Gaza Strip from the town of Beit Tima (near Ashkelon) in 1948.[1] In 2007 he joined the civilian police force in the Gaza Strip.[1] He was married, with two sons, Ezzedeen and Mahmoud, and two daughters, Yara and Juri.[1] Like many members of Hamas, he could speak fluent Hebrew.[5]

2010 assassination of his brother Mahmoud[edit]

Main article: Assassination of Mahmoud Al-Mabhouh

Speaking about the assassination of his brother Mahmoud Al-Mabhouh the United Arab Emirates in 2010, Fayeq said, "He was very secretive about his work and kept his family life separate. He wasn’t in battle or fighting yet the Israelis killed him. As a family we have the right to know who killed him and have lawyers in different countries working on it and when they catch the killers, we want them to be brought to court."[25] He called on the Irish Government to expel the Israeli ambassador from Ireland, because the killers had used forged Irish passports.[25] The assassins entered the UAE using fake or fraudulently obtained passports (some stolen from Israeli dual nationals) including passports from the UK, Ireland, Australia, France, and Germany.[11] Israel attempted to deny responsibility, but this was widely disbelieved.[26]

Further reading[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ a b c The spelling of his name in English is extremely variable, including "Faiq Al-Mabhouh", "Fayek Mabhouh", and others. Many Arabic surnames start with an "Al" (Arabic: ال), this is sometimes omitted in English, but sometimes retained. The most common Romanisations of his first name are "Fayeq",[24][2] "Fayek",[27][28] and "Faiq",[29][30] but there are numerous other ways, ending in Q, K, G, or CK, e.g. Faack.[21] The Hebrew spelling is less variable (Hebrew: פאיק).[5]
  2. ^ Quote in Arabic:[1] أن الهدف من العملية هو نشر الفوضى ومنع وصول المساعدات إلى محافظتي الشمال وغزة … الاغتيال أتى بعد يومين من نجاح جهود إدخال 15 شاحنة مساعدات إلى شمال غزة.
  3. ^ Quote in Arabic. «هذه الجريمة الإرهابية باستهداف الشرطة المدنية المحمية بموجب القانون الدولي الإنساني هي دليل إضافي على سعي العدو النازي لنشر الفوضى، وضرب السلم المجتمعي في القطاع، وإدامة حالة المجاعة التي يعاني منها أهلنا، تنفيذا لمخطط حرب الإبادة وتهجير شعبنا عن أرضه»

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "Fayeq Al-Mabhouh...a police general in Gaza who was assassinated by Israel". Encyclopedia. Al Jazeera. 19 March 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  2. ^ a b c "Top Palestinian police officer killed by Israel at northern Gaza hospital". www.aa.com.tr. 19 March 2024. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Since 7 October: these are the most prominent Hamas leaders who have been assassinated by Israel". www.alarabiya.net (in Arabic). 19 March 2024. Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Al-Mahouh: "Lockdown" is an option among procedures evaluated by the competent authorities according to the epidemic situation". Palestine Online (in Arabic). 5 December 2020. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  5. ^ a b c "N12 - פאיק מבחוח: "המוסד חיסל את אחי"" (in Hebrew). 19 February 2010.
  6. ^ a b c d "He sent a message to citizens: Head of the Crisis Management Team in Gaza: We will conduct an evaluation of all the measures taken by this date". Sama News (in Arabic). 30 December 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  7. ^ Halabi, Einav (18 March 2024). "Senior Hamas commander killed in al Shifa raid". Ynetnews.
  8. ^ https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68594153
  9. ^ https://www.madamasr.com/en/2024/03/19/news/u/hamas-police-official-who-secured-aid-distribution-among-50-executed-in-shifa-hospital-raid/
  10. ^ "Top Hamas operative killed in hospital raid, army says". The Times of Israel.
  11. ^ a b c d "IDF Kills Top Hamas Officer, Brother of Hamas Officer Eliminated in Dubai, Which Sparked Diplomatic Crisis".
  12. ^ https://nabd.com/t/134327342-c2c991
  13. ^ "Israeli forces attack Gaza's al-Shifa hospital". Channel 4 News. 18 March 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  14. ^ "Two Palestinian political analysts: The implications of the assassination of Al-Mabhouh...spreading chaos and undermining civilian rule in Gaza" (in Arabic). 18 March 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  15. ^ a b "إشارات إسرائيلية لمصر بتنفيذ عملية عسكرية في رفح". alaraby.co.uk/ (in Arabic). Retrieved 29 May 2024.
  16. ^ "Roundup: Gaza replaces mosque preachers with doctors for sermon amid COVID-19 - Xinhua - English.news.cn". 21 March 2020. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  17. ^ a b c "IDF raids Gaza's Shifa Hospital again, kills 40 gunmen including senior commander". timesofisrael.
  18. ^ Vasilyeva, Nataliya (18 March 2024). "Israel-Hamas war latest: Senior Hamas terrorist 'killed in Al-Shifa Hospital raid'". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  19. ^ https://www.madamasr.com/en/2024/03/19/news/u/hamas-police-official-who-secured-aid-distribution-among-50-executed-in-shifa-hospital-raid/
  20. ^ "Israeli forces raid Gaza City's al-Shifa hospital". 18 March 2024.
  21. ^ a b "Troops engaged in shootout with Hamas logistics chief before killing him, new details show". 19 March 2024.
  22. ^ a b c "Tweeters: For these reasons, the occupation assassinated Brigadier General Faiq al-Mabhouh in Gaza". Al Jazeera (in Arabic). 19 March 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  23. ^ a b "A Terrorist Crime: The First Comment From Hamas On The Assassination Of Brigadier General Fayeq Al-Mabhouh". قناة الغد www.alghad.tv (in Arabic). 18 March 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  24. ^ a b c "I24NEWS". www.i24news.tv. 19 March 2024. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  25. ^ a b Gaza, Juno McEnroe (24 February 2010). "State should expel Israeli ambassador, says brother". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
  26. ^ "Israel says No Proof it was Involved in Killing of Hamas Commander". 16 February 2010.
  27. ^ "Senior Hamas commander killed in Israeli airstrike last week, White House says". 18 March 2024.
  28. ^ Gabbatt, Adam (16 February 2010). "Members of hit squad suspected of killing Hamas man 'had UK passports'". The Guardian.
  29. ^ "Hamas condemns top Palestinian police officer's assassination". The Palestinian Information Center. 18 March 2024. Retrieved 19 May 2024.
  30. ^ "Top Hamas man killed in Shifa hospital is brother of terror group leader assassinated in Dubai - The Times of Israel". Retrieved 29 May 2024.
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