Hamas Arrests Man For Commander’s Assassination
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Image by Getty Images
(JTA) — Hamas arrested a suspect in the March killing of one of its top commanders, whose death was blamed on Israel.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said in a press conference on Thursday in Gaza that his group has a suspect in custody in connection with the shooting of Mazan Fukha, adding that the alleged killer had confessed and provided “all information and details of his crime,” the Ma’an news agency reported.
Haniyeh called the development a “historical moment” and a point of justice for a “heroic leader” of Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades — the armed wing of the Hamas movement — during the press conference. He did not mention whether Hamas believes the alleged assailant was connected to Israel.
Fukha was shot with four bullets to the head in front of a residence in southwestern Gaza City. Hamas officials said at the time that the assassination was carried out with a silenced gun by assailants who were “collaborating” with Israel.
Under Hamas’ rule in the Gaza Strip, collaboration with Israel typically results in a death sentence.
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