Hamas names mastermind of attacks on Israel as deputy

Hamas has chosen a terrorist mastermind for a senior political position.  

Hamas has named as its deputy leader a terrorist who masterminded attacks against its citizens.

An official in the Islamic terror group said Thursday that Saleh al-Arouri will be the deputy to politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh. The move comes as Hamas and Palestinian Authority (PA) head Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah faction are working toward reconciliation.

Al-Arouri founded the military wing of Hamas, or the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, and was  known within the terrorist organization as the “Military Commander of the West Bank.” Arrested multiple times, he was  released in 2011 as part of the Gilad Shalit prisoner swap.

Al-Arouri previously lived in Turkey, but was expelled by the Ankara government as part of its reconciliation agreement with Israel.

Arouri, 60, has been accused of involvement in the kidnapping and subsequent murder of Eyal Yifrach, Gilad Shaer, and Naftali Frankel in 2014, which many people point to as the catalyst for Operation Protective Edge.

By: AP and World Israel News Staff

GazaHamasOperation Protective EdgePalestinian terrorSaleh al-Arouri