Funeral of Hamas Terrorist Leader in Gaza Draws Thousands

The number of Gazans who turned out for the Saturday funeral of a Hamas terrorist leader who was gunned down in the street on Friday was estimated to be “in the thousands.” According to Hamas, Mazen Faqha, 38, was the victim of an Israeli hit. In Israel, it’s been reported that Faqha was responsible for organizing terror cells for Hamas in the West Bank, which is under control of Hamas’ rival faction, Fatah, prompting some Palestinians to allege that Fatah is working hand-in-hand with the Israelis. He had been jailed by Israel for organizing suicide bombings during the Second Intifada, but was released in the 2011 prisoner swap that saw the release of one Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, in exchange for more than 1,000 Palestinian security prisoners. Hamas has vowed retaliation.