Tariq Abu Al-Hu’sein, a 39-year old Hamas leader from Rafah, was killed on Saturday in a military operation in the Gaza Strip. The two most influential Palestinian newspapers (Al-Hayyat Al-Jadida and Al-Quds, both run to a great extent by the Palestinian Authority), decided to address his death with a positive approach. Al-Hayyat Al-Jadida published a front page obituary on behalf of his family, while Al-Quds published a front page story entitled ‘Sheikh Tariq Abu Al-Hu’sein – martyr who carried the word of honesty and resisted the occupation in Rafah.’
 |
Tariq Abu Al-Hu’sein
Who was Tariq Abu Al-Hu’sein?
Hamas website wrote: “We are the soldiers, we are the leaders, we are the lovers of martyrdom… Every day the sun shines over Palestine, Hamas is writing and implementing these slogans with blood, sacrifices, martyrs, armed suicide attacks, invasion of Zionist rapists [meaning Jewish settlements]…saying ‘Oh god, take our blood until you are satisfied’. Abu Al-Hu’sein – 39 years old – was one of those people. He was a one of a kind type of leader, carrying Hamas’ flag in Rafah with his admirable character and fierce dream…”
 |
(Hamas website)
According to the Israeli army Spokesperson’s office, Abu Al-Hu’sein was spotted with a group of armed Palestinians, which was very likely trying to plant a roadside-bomb. The soldiers who spotted this armed group returned fire and killed Abu Al-Hu’sein. During the current militant uprising Abu Al-Hu’sein was involved in recruiting terrorists, arming them, and sending them to their missions. In 1996 he was involved in the smuggling into the Gaza Strip of Hasan Salama, who carried out multiple terror attacks, killing dozens of Israelis, according to the Israeli army.
The people close to him nicknamed him The Dynamo of the Intifada in Rafah. “The mosques of Rafah and Khan Yunis knew him as an Imam, urging people to pray, raise their heads, fight and resist,” according to the Hamas website.
“He was a symbol for an Imam and a warrior,” wrote children on Rafah’s walls, according to Al-Quds newspaper.
And yet, the two most influential newspapers in the PA decided to dedicate space for him on their front pages. As in other Arabic states, the media in the PA is widely censored by the administration – the same administration which under the Quartet-sponsored Road Map plan is supposed to fight Palestinian terror organizations, such as Hamas.
 |
(Hamas website)