Friday Jul 11, 2025
HE
NEWSLETTER
www.israelhayom.com
  • Home
  • News
    • Israel
    • Israel at War
    • Middle East
    • United States
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
  • In Memoriam
www.israelhayom.com
  • Home
  • News
    • Israel
    • Israel at War
    • Middle East
    • United States
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
  • In Memoriam
www.israelhayom.com
Home Explainer

Who were the 2 senior terrorists eliminated overnight in Rafah?

Khaled A-Najar and Yassin Rabia were in charge of Hamas' West Bank command that transfers funds and provides instructions to terrorists operating in Judea and Samaria.

by  Shachar Kleiman
Published on  05-27-2024 12:05
Last modified: 05-27-2024 12:42
Who were the 2 senior terrorists eliminated overnight in Rafah?Arab media

Yassin Rabia | Photo: Arab media

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The recent elimination in Rafah of two senior members of Hamas' West Bank command highlights the ongoing efforts of Israeli security forces to disrupt this unit within the terrorist organization. The unit's members, who transfer funds and provide instructions to terrorists operating in Judea and Samaria, are based in various locations abroad but still pose a threat to Israel.

According to the IDF, the command is responsible for guiding, financing, and supporting the execution of attacks in the West Bank areas of Judea and Samaria, and within Israel proper.

Khaled A-Najar (Arab media)

One of the eliminated terrorists, Khaled A-Najar, had previously established a cell affiliated with Hamas that carried out 11 attacks during the Second Intifada. Members of this cell were arrested in 2003 and sentenced to life imprisonment after killing three Israeli soldiers. A-Najar was also involved in the murder of Shalom Har-Melech, the husband of MK Limor Son Har-Melech. He was released in 2011 as part of the Gilad Schalit prisoner exchange deal and deported to the Gaza Strip, where he joined the headquarters directing from Gaza attacks in the West Bank.

בעקבות 28 הרוגים לפי הדיווחים, ועדת החירום ברפיח שבשליטת חמאס, קראה לקהילה הבינלאומית לאלץ את ישראל לממש את הצו של ביה"ד הבינלאומי בהאג להפסיק את המבצע בעיר שבדרום רצועת עזה. https://t.co/kv4z0zIHk9

— Shachar Kleiman שחר קליימן (@skleiman5791) May 26, 2024

The other eliminated terrorist, Yassin Rabia, who was also released in the Schalit deal, managed all the military branches of the command, facilitated the transfer of funds for terrorist activities, and guided attacks by Hamas operatives in the West Bank. Rabia had previously carried out several deadly attacks, including those in 2001 and 2002 that resulted in the deaths of Israeli soldiers.

However, A-Najar and Rabia were not the only terrorists from the command eliminated since Oct. 7. Its most senior terrorist eliminated to date was Saleh al-Arouri, who was killed in an attack attributed to Israel in the heart of Beirut. Al-Arouri was the driving force behind the West Bank command.

In the same attack, Samir Findi and Azzam Al-Aqraa were also eliminated, with the latter being involved in the West Bank command and planning attacks in Judea and Samaria from his residences in various Arab countries over the years. The goals behind striking the command are to cut off the elements transferring funds to the arena from abroad and to disrupt their sources of income.

Since Operation Guardian of the Walls in 2021 and with greater intensity in the following summer, Iranian-funded terrorist organizations such as the Jenin Battalion of Palestinian Islamic Jihad have established themselves in Jenin and other hotspots in the West Bank. Another notable group comprised of different terrorist organizations is the Lion's Den, which includes members from Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades.

Tags: HamasIDFJudea and SamariaKhaled A-NajarRafahSaleh al-Arouriterror attackTerrorism

Related Posts

10 reasons why Israel matters to AmericaAP/Mark Schiefelbein

10 reasons why Israel matters to America

by Ariel Kahana

There's no doubt we need the US to stand against those seeking our destruction. Nevertheless, there are many things our...

Why do Shiites flagellate themselves? The battle behind AshuraAFP

Why do Shiites flagellate themselves? The battle behind Ashura

by Shachar Kleiman

On Saturday night, hundreds of millions of Muslims around the world will mark Ashura, the tenth day of the first...

How Spain's PM became Israel's most hostile adversary in EuropeAFP

How Spain's PM became Israel's most hostile adversary in Europe

by Nissan Shtrauchler

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is leading the anti-Israel campaign in Europe, with ministers in his government accusing Israel of...

Menu

Analysis 

Archaeology

Blogpost

Business & Finance

Culture

Exclusive

Explainer

Environment

 

Features

Health

In Brief

Jewish World

Judea and Samaria

Lifestyle

Cyber & Internet

Sports

 

Diplomacy 

Iran & The Gulf

Gaza Strip

Politics

Shopping

Terms of use

Privacy Policy

Submissions

Contact Us

About Us

The first issue of Israel Hayom appeared on July 30, 2007. Israel Hayom was founded on the belief that the Israeli public deserves better, more balanced and more accurate journalism. Journalism that speaks, not shouts. Journalism of a different kind. And free of charge.

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il

  • Home
  • News
    • Israel at War
    • Israel
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
    • Environment & Wildlife
    • Health & Wellness
  • In Memoriam
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Submit your opinion
  • Terms and conditions

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il

Newsletter

[contact-form-7 id=”508379″ html_id=”isrh_form_Newsletter_en” title=”newsletter_subscribe”]

  • Home
  • News
    • Israel at War
    • Israel
    • United States
    • Middle East
    • Sports
  • Opinions
  • Jewish World
    • Archaeology
    • Antisemitism
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Travel
    • Fashion
    • Culture
  • Magazine
    • Feature
    • Analysis
    • Explainer
    • Environment & Wildlife
    • Health & Wellness
  • In Memoriam
  • Subscribe to Newsletter
  • Submit your opinion
  • Terms and conditions

All rights reserved to Israel Hayom

Hosted by sPD.co.il