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Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi
عبد العزيز الرنتيسي
Portrait of Rantisi at the Shatila refugee camp, 2019
Chairman of the Hamas Shura Council
In office 22 March 2004 – 17 April 2004
Preceded by	Ahmed Yassin
Deputy Chairman of the Hamas Shura Council
In office 10 December 1987 – 22 March 2004
Preceded by	Position created
Personal details
Born	Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi (1947-10-23)23 October 1947 Yibna, Ramle, Mandatory Palestine
Died	17 April 2004(2004-04-17) (aged 56) Gaza City, Gaza Strip, Palestinian territories
Manner of death	Assassination
Spouse	Jamila Abdallah Taha al-Shanti
Alma mater	Alexandria University

Palestinian nationalism Factions and leaders
Yassin + Haniyeh RantisiMashalSinwarDeifDeifMabhouhHabashAbbasHawatmehNakhalah
Map: Birthplaces or family origins Details below: p. parents from, b. born in, d. death.
Palestine Liberation Organization Chairman Mahmoud Abbas Also: President of the PNA PLO political factions Palestinian National Liberation Movement (Fatah) Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) Palestinian People's Party (PPP) Palestinian Liberation Front (PLF) Arab Liberation Front (ALF) Palestinian Democratic Union (FIDA) Palestinian Popular Struggle Front (PPSF) Palestinian Arab Front (PAF) As-Sa'iqa Related groups Palestinian National Initiative Leader Mustafa Barghouti
Fatah Founders Yasser Arafat p. Gaza City b. Cairo d. 2004 in Paris Khaled Yashruti Salah Khalaf Khalil al-Wazir Chairman Mahmoud Abbas b. Safed (President of the PA) Secretary-General Jibril Rajoub Vice Chairman Mahmoud Aloul
Fatah splinter groups Al-Mustaqbal (electoral list) Marwan Barghouti Prisoner of Israel see also: Israel–Hamas war hostage crisis Palestinian Mujahideen Movement Militant wing Mujahideen Brigades Former militant wings of Fatah Raed Al Karmi Founder of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades Naif Abu-Sharah Local commander in Nablus Fadi Kafisha Former head of the Tanzim in Nablus Sirhan Sirhan Zakaria Zubeidi Local commander in Jenin see also Tali Fahima Samih Madhoun d. killed by EQB Ibrahim al-Nabulsi see also: Lions' Den
Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine Secretary General George Habash b. Lydda Abu Ali Mustafa Birth name: "Mustafa Ali Zabri" b. 1938 Arraba, Jenin Jenin See also: 17 October 2001 Ahmad Sa'adat Prisoners of Israel since 2006 see also: Israel–Hamas war hostage crisis Deputy Secretary General Jamil Mezher Other key figures Ghassan Kanafani Schisms and splinter groups PFLP-GC
Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine Split from the PFLP in 1969. Founder and current leader Nayef Hawatmeh b. 1938 As-Salt Militant wing National Resistance Brigades Spokesperson: Abu Khaled
Palestinian Islamic Jihad Ziyad al-Nakhalah b. Khan Yunis Militant wing Saraya Al-Quds
Hamas List of leaders Chairman of Hamas Shura Council (1987‑2004) Ahmed Yassin b. Al-Jura, d. 2004 Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi b. Yibna, d. 2004 Chairman of Hamas Polit Bureau Ismail Haniyeh p. Al-Jura, b. Al-Shati, d. 2024 Khaled Mashal b. Silwad Leader in the Gaza Strip Yahya Sinwar p. Al‑Majal, b. Khan Yunis, d 2024 Head of International relations Basem Naim b. Beit Hanoun Police and Disaster Management Faiq Al-Mabhouh p. Bayt Tima, d. 2024 Minister for Women's Affairs Jamila al-Shanti b. Jabalia, d. 2023, m. Widow of Rantisi Militant wing Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades Leader Mohammed Deif Birth name: Mohammed Al-Masri p. Kawkaba (near Kokhav Michael) and Al‑Qubayba, b. Khan Yunis d. Failed attempt in 2014 d. Unconfirmed: 2024) Related topics Hamas government in the Gaza Strip Hamas in Lebanon All-Palestine Government in Gaza Ashkelon incorporation into Israel
Historical figures Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Namesake of the Qassam Brigades Musa Alami early Palestinian nationalist b. 1897 in Jerusalem Yaqub al-Ghusayn b. 1899 in Ramla George Antonius b. 1891 Deir al-Qamar al-Husayni family Jamal al-Husayni Musa al-Husayni
Related topics Ideologies Palestinian nationalism Islamism in the Gaza Strip Islamic nationalism § Hamas Present day Palestinian political parties Elections in Palestine Palestinian political violence Hamas government in the Gaza Strip Palestinian Legislative Council State of Palestine Occupied Palestinian Territories List of Palestinians 1967 to 1995 Palestinian fedayeen History of Hamas 1948 to 1967 All-Palestine Government Gaza Protectorate Jordanian annexation of the West Bank Palestinian National Council 1918 to 1948 Mandatory Palestine Jewish insurgency in Mandatory Palestine Army of the Holy War Society for the Defense of Palestine Before 1918 Origin of the Palestinians
This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (August 2024)
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Hamas biographies
Flag of Hamas
Abbreviations p. parents from b. born in d. death
Leaders Party leader Ahmed Yassin (1987–2004) b. Al-Jura, d. 2004 Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi (2004) b. Yibna, d. 2004 Khaled Mashal (2004–2017) b. Silwad Ismail Haniyeh (2017–2024) p. Al-Jura, b. Al-Shati, d. 2024 Yahya Sinwar (2024) p. Al‑Majal, b. Khan Yunis, d. 2024 Leader in Gaza Ismail Haniyeh (2007–2017) p. Al-Jura, b. Al-Shati, d. 2024 Yahya Sinwar (2017–2024) p. Al‑Majal, b. Khan Yunis, d. 2024 Deputy Leader Mousa Abu Marzook (1997–2013) p. Yibna, b. Rafah Ismail Haniyeh (2013–2017) p. Al-Jura, b. Al-Shati, d. 2024 Saleh al-Arouri (2017–2024) b. 'Arura, d. 2024 Khalil al-Hayya (2024–) b. Gaza City Military wing leader Mohammed Deif p. Al‑Qubayba, b. Khan Yunis d. Possible death in 2024
Politicians and officials Male politicians Basem Naim b. Beit Hanoun Head of International relations Previously: Health Minister Aziz Dweik Ali Baraka Mousa Abu Marzook Female politicians Jamila al-Shanti b. Jabalia, m. Widow of Rantisi, d. 2023 Minister for Women's Affairs Government officials in the Gaza Strip Faiq Al-Mabhouh p. Bayt Tima, b. Jabalia, d. 2024 Police and crisis management Ashraf al-Qidra Health Ministry spokesperson Officials in Lebanon Osama Hamdan Officials in Turkey Zaher Jabarin Alleged weapons dealers Mahmoud al-Mabhouh p. Bayt Tima b. Jabalia d. 2010
Al-Qassam BrigadesDoritos Spokesperson: Abu  Obaida Chief of staff: Mohammed Deif p. Kawkaba (near Kokhav Michael) and Al‑Qubayba, b. Khan Yunis Botched assassination in 2014 d. Unconfirmed in 2024 ICC arrest warrant Marwan Issa p. Al‑Majal b. Bureij refugee camp d. 2024 Yahya Sinwar d. 2024 (political leader KIA see above) Alleged "Nukhba" Ayman Nofal d. 2023 Ali Al Qadi Qassam commanders Ahmed Jabari Mahmoud Rushdi Ishtiwi [ar] Muhammad Abu Shamala [ar] Raed al Atar Engineers Yahya Ayyash Adnan al-Ghoul Martyrdom operatives Jafar Muna
Alphabetical list Imad Abbas Ismail Abu Shanab Imad al-Alami Saleh al-Arouri Salah al-Bardawil Essam al-Da'alis Muhammad Ismail Darwish Wissam Farhat Osama Hamdan Zaher Jabarin Khaled Mashal Rawhi Mushtaha Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi Muhammad Shabana Fatah Sharif Yahya Sinwar Sheikh Abu Salah Taha Ahmed Yassin Hassan Yousef Mahmoud al-Zahar Imad Abbas Emad Akel Raed al Atar Yahya Ayyash Abdullah Barghouti Mohammed Dababish Mohammed Deif Ahmed Ghandour Adnan al-Ghoul Hamza Abu al-Haija Walid Hamdiya Ibrahim Hamed Abu Omar Hassan Marwan Issa Ahmed Jabari Abu Zakaria al-Jamal Fursan Khalifa Izz El-Deen Sheikh Khalil Mahmoud al-Mabhouh Tito Masoud Mohammed Sinwar Wa'el Nassar Ayman Nofal Ali Al Qadi Rafa Salama Samar Sabih Mohiyedine Sharif Salah Shehade Alaa Shreiteh Omar Abd al-Razaq Samir Abu Eisheh Muhammad Abu Tir Atef Adwan Jamal Akal Yunis Al Astal Nizar Awadallah Husam Badran Ahmad Bahar Ali Baraka Mohammad Barghouti Issa Batran Fadi Mohammad al-Batsh Abdul Fatah Dukhan Aziz Dweik Mazen Faqha Nidal Farahat Kamal Ghanaja Ibrahim Ghosheh Ihab al-Ghussein Samira Abdullah Halaykah Fathi Hamad Ghazi Hamad Ismail Haniyeh Abu Omar Hassan Khalil al-Hayya Ahmad Abu Holi Tawfik Jaber Abd al-Rahman al-Jamal Hadem Rida Jarrar Wasfi Kabha Ahmad Kurd Faiq Al-Mabhouh Ibrahim al-Makadmeh Yousef al-Mansi Mousa Abu Marzook Osama Mazini Basem Naim Umm Nidal Hatem Qafisha Nayef Rajoub Nizar Rayan Reem Riyashi Muhammad Sawalha Said Seyam Nasser al-Shaer Jamila Abdallah Taha al-Shanti Amal Syam Khaled Tafesh Ayman Taha Mohammad Taha Sheikh Abu Salah Taha Raad Thabet Adly Yaish Ahmed Yousef Hassan Yousef Mosab Hassan Yousef Mahmoud al-Zahar Mahmoud Khalil Zakzuk Wael Al Zard Ziad Al-Zaza Sami Abu Zuhri Mohamed Zouari Dissident faction Qawasameh tribe
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Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi (Arabic: عبد العزيز الرنتيسي‎; 23 October 1947 – 17 April 2004) was a Palestinian political leader and co-founder of Hamas, along with Sheikh Ahmed Yassin in 1987. He also served as the chairman of the Hamas Shura Council from March 2004 until his assassination in April 2004 and the first deputy chairman of the Hamas Shura Council from December 1987 until March 2004.

Rantisi was born in Yibna, Mandatory Palestine in 1947. During the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, his family fled or were expelled by Zionist militias to the Gaza Strip. In 1956, when he was nine, Israeli soldiers killed his uncle in front of him in Khan Younis, which he stated had a lifelong impact on him. He studied pediatric medicine and genetics at Alexandria University in Egypt, graduating first in his class; during that time he became a member of the Muslim Brotherhood. In 1976, he returned to Gaza to teach parasitology and genetics at the Islamic University of Gaza.

During the First Intifada against the Israeli occupation in 1988, he became a popular organizer and a leader whose efforts helped the formation of Hamas. Rantisi became Hamas's political leader and spokesman in the Gaza Strip following the Israeli killing of Hamas spiritual leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin in March 2004. Rantisi opposed compromise with Israel and called for the creation of a Palestinian state (including the whole of the State of Israel) through military action against Israel.

On 17 April 2004, the Israeli Air Force assassinated al-Rantisi by firing Hellfire missiles from an AH-64 Apache helicopter at his car.

Early life and education

Rantisi was born in Yibna, near Ramle in Mandatory Palestine on 23 October 1947. During the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, his family fled or were expelled by Zionist militias to the Gaza Strip. In 1956, when he was eight or nine, he witnessed the Khan Yunis massacre, in which Israeli soldiers killed hundreds of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. During the massacre, al-Rantisi recalled that Israeli soldiers killed his uncle in front of him — as he explained to Joe Sacco, this fact was very important for his future life. He studied pediatric medicine and genetics at Egypt's, Alexandria University, graduating first in his class. He was a certified physician. During his time in Egypt, he became a deeply convicted member of the Muslim Brotherhood. In 1976, Rantisi returned to Gaza to teach parasitology and genetics at the Islamic University.

History with Hamas

In 1987, four Palestinian civilians of the Jabalya refugee camp were killed in a traffic accident that involved Israeli settlers and soldiers. Rantisi joined Sheikh Ahmad Yassin and Salah Shehadeh, among others, encouraging people to protest the occupation, after mosque services. This was the start of the First Intifada, which lasted five years. Rantisi became a popular organizer and leader whose efforts helped the formation of Hamas. In December 1992, Rantissi was deported to southern Lebanon, as part of the expulsion of 416 Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad operatives, and emerged as the general spokesman of the expellees.

On 8 June 2003, he directed a Hamas-led attack in which four Israeli soldiers were killed at the Erez Crossing in the Gaza Strip. On 10 June 2003, Rantisi survived an Israeli helicopter attack on a car in which he was traveling. He was lightly wounded in the attack, which killed one of his bodyguards, a civilian, and wounded at least 25 others. Rantisi also reportedly threatened, while in his bed in Al-Shifa Hospital, "not a single Jew in Palestine is safe" and "kill Israeli political leaders, because all of them are killers".

On 23 March 2004, Rantisi was named leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, following the killing of Ahmed Yassin by Israeli forces. On 27 March 2004, Rantisi addressed 5,000 supporters in Gaza. He declared the then-US President George W. Bush to be an "enemy of Muslims" and asserted that "America declared war against God. Sharon declared war against God and God declared war against America, Bush and Sharon. The war of God continues against them and I can see the victory coming up from the land of Palestine by the hand of Hamas."

Assassination

On 17 April 2004, Rantisi was assassinated by the Israeli Air Force, when they fired Hellfire missiles from an AH-64 Apache helicopter at his car. Two others, a bodyguard (named Akram Nassar), and Rantisi's 27-year-old son Mohammed, were also killed in the attack, and four bystanders wounded. Israeli army radio stated that this was the first opportunity to target Rantisi, without significant collateral damage, since he took the leadership of Hamas, alleging that he had surrounded himself with human shields since the killing of Yassin.

Reactions

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Jonathan Peled stated:

"Israel...today struck a mastermind of terrorism, with blood on his hands. As long as the Palestinian Authority does not lift a finger and fight terrorism, Israel will continue to have to do so itself."

British Foreign Minister Jack Straw condemned the action:

"The British government has made it repeatedly clear that so-called 'targeted assassinations' of this kind are unlawful, unjustified and counter-productive."

Personal life

Rantisi was married to Jamila Abdallah Taha al-Shanti, who was elected to the Palestinian Legislative Council in 2006, and who was herself assassinated in 2023; they had six children.

Legacy

The Al-Rantisi Pediatric Hospital, in Gaza City, is named after him. It provided treatment for cancer and kidney failure.

Quote

When a foreign journalist asked Dr. Rantisi, shortly before the failed assassination attempt in mid-2003, if he was afraid of death, he did not hesitate to answer, "It is death, whether by Apache or by a heart attack, and I prefer the Apache".

See also

• Al-Rantisi Hospital
• Jamila Abdallah Taha al-Shanti

References

1. Urquhart, Conal (18 April 2004). "Israeli missile attack kills new Hamas chief". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
2. Filiu, Jean-Pierre. Gaza: A History. Oxford University Press. p. 97.
3. Sacco, Joe (2009). Footnotes in Gaza. New York: Metropolitan Books. ISBN 978-0-8050-7347-8.
4. "Profile: Hamas leader Rantisi". BBC News. 17 April 2004. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
5. "Dr Abdel Aziz Rantisi". The Independent. London, UK. 19 April 2004. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
6. "Rantisi: A Life Lived, Ended for Palestinian Cause - 2004-04-18". Voice of America. 27 October 2009. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
7. "Israel shelling near camp". The Telegraph Herald. Lebanon. Associated Press. 4 January 1994.
8. Jones, Tony (10 June 2003). "Hamas leader survives assassination attempt". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 19 April 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2012.
9. "Identical letters dated 10 June 2003 from the Permanent Observer of Palestine to the United Nations addressed to the Secretary-General and the President of the Security Council". UN. 10 June 2003. Archived from the original on 19 April 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2012.
10. Staff Reporter (10 June 2003). "'Not a single Jew in Palestine is safe'". The Mail & Guardian.
11. "New Hamas leader: Bush is 'enemy of Muslims'". CNN. Gaza City. 6 May 2004. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
12. "Surgical Strike Not a Retaliatory Action". Artuz Sheva. 17 April 2004. Archived from the original on 29 November 2005. Retrieved 18 June 2007.
13. Plaw, Avery (2008). Targeting Terrorists: A License to Kill?. Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. p. 77. ISBN 978-0-7546-4526-9.
14. Matza, Michael (18 April 2004). "Israeli attack kills leader of Hamas". Lawrence Journal-World – via Google News Archive Search.
15. "UK condemns Hamas leader killing". BBC. 18 April 2004. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
16. Seitz, Charmaine (30 March 2004). "A New Kind of Killing". MERIP. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
17. "Gaza's Al-Rantisi Hospital goes out of service, leaving 38 children with kidney failure in danger". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
18. "Feature: Cancer patients in Gaza suffer painful treatment journey - Xinhua | English.news.cn". www.xinhuanet.com. 31 July 2019. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
19. https://aja.me/re68hu

External links

• What the doctor orders – Interview by Amira Hass Archived 1 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine (Haaretz)

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Category:Hamas

v t e Targeted killing by Israel
This table is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
Global topics	Targeted killings History of assassinations
Israel topics	List of Israeli assassinations Executions and assassinations during the Israel–Hamas war
Gaza topics	Israeli disengagement from Gaza Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip AI-assisted targeting in the Gaza Strip Israeli war crimes
Targets in the Gaza Strip	2004 March 22 Ahmed Yasin (death) April 17 Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi (death) October 21 Adnan al-Ghoul and Imad Abbas 2005 Israeli disengagement from Gaza 2008 Operation Cast Lead 2009 January 15 Said Seyam 2014 July 8 2014 Gaza War August 19 failed attempt to kill Mohammed Deif: Deif family killings 21 Raed al Atar Muhammad Abu Shamala [ar] 2023 October 7 Israel–Hamas war Bombing of the Gaza Strip Executions and assassinations October 17 Ayman Nofal 2024 January Saleh al-Arouri death March 10 Marwan Issa death 19 Faiq Al-Mabhouh July 13 Al-Mawasi Mohammed Deif Rafa Salama October 16 Yahya Sinwar death
Targets in the West Bank	2001 Abu Ali Mustafa See also assassination of Rehavam Ze'evi Shireen Abu Akleh Ibrahim al-Nabulsi legacy
Palestinian targets outside of Palestine	1972 Operation Wrath of God See also: Munich massacre 1972 Ghassan Kanafani Lebanon see also Lod Airport massacre 2010 Mahmoud Al-Mabhouh UAE brother's response 2023 October 7 Israel–Hamas war Executions and assassinations 2024 January 2 Saleh al-Arouri Lebanon July 31 Ismail Haniyeh Iran
Lebanese targets	List of assassinations in Lebanon Israel–Lebanon relations 1992 February 16 Abbas al-Musawi death 2006 July 29 Khalid Bazzi Bint Jbeil 2023 December 27 Ali Ahmed Bazzi Australian dual citizen 2024 September 27 Hassan Nasrallah death 2024 October 3 Hashem Safieddine death
Iranian targets	Iran–Israel relations Operations attributed to Israel in Iran Assassination of Iranian nuclear scientists 2010 November 29 Majid Shahriari 2020 November 27 Mohsen Fakhrizadeh
Others
Assassinations by Israeli non-state actors Yitzak Rabin (killed by Yigal Amir) Assassination of UN mediator by the Lehi
🗝️ KEY	Israel claimed responsibility.  Israel claims they were killed in combat.  Israel denied responsibility.  number of people killed in the same strike, if not all deaths are listed.  unlisted family members confirmed dead.
Category:Extrajudicial killings by the Israeli military

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