From the late 1990s through the 2000s and into the present, Israel has carried out a number of operations aimed at eliminating senior Hamas figures, including political leaders, spiritual heads, and military commanders. These operations are often referred to as targeted killings or assassinations, and have been justified by Israeli officials as necessary measures in the context of ongoing conflict, terrorism, and threats to civilian populations. Critics have raised serious concerns about their legality, effectiveness, and humanitarian cost.
Below are several of the most prominent cases involving Hamas leadership.
Key Cases
Sheikh Ahmed Yassin (2004)
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Who he was: Sheikh Ahmed Yassin was one of the founders of Hamas and served as a spiritual leader. He was wheelchair-bound and paralysed. Wikipedia+2Al Jazeera+2
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When/how he was killed: On 22 March 2004, Israeli military helicopters launched missiles at Yassin as he was coming from dawn prayers near a mosque in the Sabra neighborhood of Gaza City. The attack resulted in his death and the deaths of bystanders. FIDH+3Wikipedia+3Al Jazeera+3
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Aftermath / significance: Yassin’s killing was highly controversial and led to widespread anger, both within Gaza and internationally. Hamas vowed to retaliate. His death also triggered debates over the morality and legality of targeting individuals outside of court proceedings. Al Jazeera+3Wikipedia+3FIDH+3
Abdel Aziz al‑Rantisi (2004)
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Who he was: After Yassin’s assassination, Rantisi became one of the leading figures of Hamas in Gaza. A co‑founder of Hamas, he was both a political and public face of the movement. Wikipedia+3Al Jazeera+3Middle East Monitor+3
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When/how he was killed: On 17 April 2004, less than a month after Yassin’s death, Israeli helicopters fired missiles at the car Rantisi was travelling in, in Gaza City. He died in the attack, as did bodyguards, and others were injured. CNN+3Wikipedia+3Al Jazeera+3
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Aftermath / significance: Rantisi’s death was likewise condemned internationally. It was seen both as a blow to Hamas leadership and as a provocation. Hamas vowed revenge. The deaths of Yassin and Rantisi in rapid succession created a leadership gap in Gaza for Hamas, though new leaders stepped up. CNN+3Wikipedia+3Middle East Monitor+3
Other Significant Targeted Killings
While Yassin and Rantisi are two of the most prominent cases, there are several others, particularly among Hamas's military leadership or prominent political-military hybrids:
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Salah Shehadeh (2002) — killed by a bomb dropped on an apartment building. He was Hamas’s No. 2 military leader. AP News
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Yahya Ayyash (1996) — known as “the Engineer” for his role in bomb-making for Hamas. Killed via a rigged telephone in Gaza. AP News
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Ahmed Jabari (2012) — head of Hamas’s armed wing. Killed by Israeli airstrike targeting his car, precipitating an eight‑day conflict between Hamas and Israel. AP News+1
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More recent examples include Saleh al‑Arouri (deputy leader) killed in Beirut in 2024, Marwan Issa (a senior commander) killed in Gaza in 2024. Wikipedia+2The Guardian+2
Legal, Ethical, and Strategic Dimensions
Legal and Human Rights Issues
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Legality under International Law: Many human rights organizations and legal scholars argue that extrajudicial targeted killings violate international human rights law, especially when carried out without judicial process or due process. Terms like “arbitrary deprivation of life” are used. FIDH+2Al Jazeera+2
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Israeli Justification: Israel generally defends these operations under the right of self-defense, pointing to the threat posed by militant attacks. They argue that certain individuals are legitimate military targets due to their operational control or involvement in planning attacks. Al Jazeera+1
Strategic Considerations
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Disruption of Leadership: Eliminating senior figures is intended to degrade organizational capacity, disrupt planning and operations, and demoralize. Examples: after Yassin and Rantisi, Hamas had to reorganize its leadership in Gaza. Wikipedia+2Middle East Monitor+2
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Retaliation and Escalation: These killings often trigger retaliation, escalation of violence, or cycles of counter‐attacks. The deaths of Yassin and Rantisi contributed to an upsurge of conflict at the time. Wikipedia+2Al Jazeera+2
Political Consequences
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Domestic / Palestinian Politics: Such operations sometimes strengthen the position of militant groups among the local population, who may see their leaders as martyrs, which can fuel recruitment and resistance. Middle East Monitor+2Al Jazeera+2
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International Reactions: These assassinations are often condemned by other states, human rights groups, and international bodies. Some see them as undermining prospects for peace. At times, diplomatic fallout has followed. UPI+2AP News+2
Effectiveness: Do Targeted Killings Work?
The effectiveness of targeted assassinations remains deeply debated. Key considerations include:
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Short‑Term Disruption vs Long‑Term Impact: While operations like the killing of Yassin or Jabari may produce tactical gains (interrupting attacks, damaging leadership), militant organizations often adapt, promote new leaders, or become more radical.
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“Martyrdom” Factor: Such killings can enhance commitment among militants, increase public sympathy, and trigger waves of retaliation.
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Operational Intelligence Requirements: Successful operations require precise, often real‑time intelligence. There is risk of mistake or collateral damage.
Recent Developments
In recent years, as warfare in Gaza and the broader Israel‑Hamas conflict has escalated, Israel has continued this policy:
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As mentioned above, Saleh al‑Arouri was killed in Beirut in January 2024. The Guardian+1
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Marwan Issa, a senior Hamas commander, was killed by an airstrike in Nuseirat, Gaza in March 2024. Wikipedia
Controversies & Criticisms
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Civilian Casualties: Many of these attacks cause civilian deaths or injuries, either through proximity or unexpected outcome. Critics cite this as unacceptable, especially in dense urban areas.
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Violation of Norms / Extrajudicial Nature: The idea of killing a political or religious leader without trial clashes with many legal norms/principles.
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Escalation vs Peace: Some argue that these policies fuel more violence and make peace harder, rather than securing long‑term stability.
Conclusion
Israel’s targeted killing of Hamas leaders – such as Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and Abdel Aziz al‑Rantisi – are among the most prominent examples of this controversial counterterrorism policy. These operations reflect a tension between the immediate security goals of disrupting militant capabilities and the broader costs: legal, moral, strategic, and humanitarian.
While some leaders are eliminated, the organizations generally adapt, new leadership rises, and cycles of retaliation continue. The debate over whether targeted killings bring more safety or more conflict is unresolved, and the effectiveness depends heavily on context: intelligence capabilities, rules of engagement, geography, and the political dynamics both within Palestinian society and in the wider region.
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