Hamas terrorist freed from Israeli jail directing terror attacks from Turkey

A terrorist released as part of a hostage deal with Israel is now remotely operating Hamas’ terror campaign in Judea and Samaria – while living in exile in Turkey.

By World Israel News Staff

A Hamas terrorist released by Israel in a hostage deal 14 years ago is behind the group’s attacks inside Israel, according to a report by Israel’s national broadcaster.

On Tuesday, Kan reported that Hamas’ terror operations against Israel in Judea and Samaria are now being largely directed from abroad by Ayman Abu Khalil, a senior member of the terrorist group who is now living in exile in Turkey.

Abu Khalil, 53, was part of a terror cell organized by Mohammed Deif that abducted and murdered two hitchhiking IDF soldiers in April and July of 1994, including Shahar Simani and Aryeh Frankenthal.

After his arrest in December 1994, Abu Khalil was imprisoned for more than 16 years before being released as part of the 2011 deal securing the return of abducted IDF soldier Gilad Shalit.

Abu Khalil had been sentenced to three life sentences for his role in the murders and in a plot to attack the home of former prime minister Ariel Sharon.

Under the terms of the Shalit agreement, Abu Khalil, a native of the Beit Hanina neighborhood in eastern Jerusalem, was forced to go into exile, taking up residence in Turkey, where he got married shortly after his release.

Since his release, Tuesday’s report said, Abu Khalil has returned to terrorism, continuing his work on behalf of Hamas.

He is believed to be responsible for funneling money to Hamas from abroad and is in charge of the terror group’s weapons smuggling operations.

More recently, Abu Khalil has begun remotely orchestrating terrorist attacks on Israelis in Judea and Samaria, particularly in the Ramallah and Hebron regions, the report said.