Abd al-Aziz al-Rantisi, the leader of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), was assassinated by the Israeli military 20 years ago on April 17. However, in Gaza, no public events are being held to commemorate this date as the war initiated by Hamas on October 7, 2023, continues for the 194th day. The residents of the sector are preoccupied with the ongoing conflict and have little time to remember the late leader of Hamas. The anniversary is being acknowledged by Hamas with publications on its websites and social media platforms.
Born on October 23, 1947, in Ibna (now Yavneh, south of Tel Aviv), Abd al-Aziz al-Rantisi had 11 siblings. His family fled to the Gaza Strip in 1948 and settled in Khan Yunis. Rantisi pursued a career in medicine, graduating as a pediatrician from Alexandria University. He was actively involved in politics and education in Gaza and was one of the founders of the Islamic Center in 1973. Rantisi played a key role in the formation of the Islamic movement Hamas in 1987 and was a leader during the first Palestinian “intifada.”
Throughout his life, Rantisi faced multiple arrests and imprisonments by Israeli and Palestinian intelligence services due to his involvement in Hamas activities. After the death of Sheikh Yassin, he became the de facto leader of Hamas and continued to advocate for the struggle against Israel. Despite increased security measures following Yassin’s death, Rantisi remained a prominent public figure, giving interviews and expressing his unwavering commitment to the cause. In 2003, he refused to negotiate with the Palestinian Authority government.
On April 17, 2004, Abd al-Aziz al-Rantisi was assassinated, marking the end of his leadership in Hamas. Despite no public events in Gaza to commemorate his death anniversary, Hamas continues to honor his memory through online publications.