Ayman Nofal: Difference between revisions

Ayman Nofal
Ayman Nofal
أيمن نوفل
Born	13 May 1974; Bureij, Israeli-occupied Gaza Strip
Died	October 2023 (aged 49); Bureij, Gaza Strip
Nationality	Palestinian

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Ayman Nofal (Arabic: أيمن نوفل; 13 May 1974 – 17 October 2023)^{[citation needed]} was a Palestinian senior commander in Al-Qassam Brigades, the militant arm of Hamas. Nofal was a member of the group's General Military Council, head of its Central Gaza Brigade, and head of air operations. He was killed during the 2023 Israel-Hamas war.

Biography

By 2008, Nofal was a leader in the Al-Qassam Brigades, the militant arm of Hamas, as a field commander in central Gaza.^[1] Nofal was arrested along with 200 other Palestinians in the northern Egyptian city of Al-Arish in the Sinai Peninsula by Egyptian security forces in early 2008. After Palestinian militants blasted open a hole in the Egypt-Gaza barrier in protest of Egypt's cooperation with Israel in January 2008, hundreds of Palestinians, including Nofal, crossed the border into Egypt.^[1]

While many of the other Palestinian border crossers were released, as a wanted person by Israel, Nofal remained in Egyptian custody. According to Al Jazeera, Egyptian authorities believed Nofal was planning to kill members of Fatah or was involved in weapons smuggling from Egypt to Gaza. Hamas denied Nofal's involvement in these activities. Egyptian authorities were reportedly interested in Nofal's knowledge of Hamas' missile capabilities, the location of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, and locations of senior Hamas militant leaders such as Muhammad Deif and Ahmed al-Jabari. ^[2] Nofal escaped from an Egyptian prison in February 2011 during the 2011 Egyptian revolution. Nofal was smuggled back to Gaza via a smuggling tunnel and received a hero's welcome from Hamas upon his return.^[1]

After Ahmed Jabari was killed in an airstrike in November 2012, Nofal was considered a possible successor as Hamas's military chief. Other possible successors included Imad Akel, Central Brigade commander Ahmed Ghandour, and Mohammed Abu-Shamala.^[3]

2023 Israel–Palestine war

By 2023, Nofal was a member of the Al-Qassam Brigades's General Military Council. In this role, he also directed its relations with other militant organizations via the Palestinian Joint Operations Room.^[4]

During the 2023 Israel-Hamas war, Nofal was a commander of the Central Gaza Brigade.^[5]^[6] On 17 October 2023, a statement from Hamas confirmed his death in an airstrike.^[7]^[8]

After his death, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Nofal a Specially Designated Global Terrorist for his role on Hamas's General Military Council and as its commander of military relations.^[9]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c Barzak, Ibrahim (6 February 2011). "Hamas man who fled Egyptian prison celebrated". San Diego Union-Tribune. Associated Press. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
^ "أيمن نوفل من سجون إسرائيل إلى السجون المصرية". Al Jazeera (in Arabic). 8 February 2009. Archived from the original on 18 October 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
^ "Who will fill Jabari's shoes as Hamas military chief?". Israel Hayom. 15 November 2012. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
^ "Joint Room and 'Unity of the Squares': What Will the Next Israeli War on Gaza Look Like". Palestine Chronicle. 12 June 2023. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
^ "Israeli air strike kills senior Hamas armed commander Ayman Nofal in Gaza". Reuters. 17 October 2023. Archived from the original on 17 October 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
^ Rothwell, James (17 October 2023). "Hamas chief killed in Gaza airstrike". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 17 October 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
^ Fabian, Emanuel. "Chief of Hamas military brigade killed in Israeli airstrike in Gaza". www.timesofisrael.com. Archived from the original on 17 October 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
^ Brennan, David (17 October 2023). "Top Hamas commander killed in Israeli strike". Newsweek. Archived from the original on 17 October 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2023.
^ "Following Terrorist Attack on Israel, Treasury Sanctions Hamas Operatives and Financial Facilitators". Office of Foreign Assets Control. 18 October 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.

[SDT-1] Barzak, Ibrahim (6 February 2011). "Hamas man who fled Egyptian prison celebrated". San Diego Union-Tribune. Associated Press. Retrieved 16 November 2023.

[AJ-2] "أيمن نوفل من سجون إسرائيل إلى السجون المصرية". Al Jazeera (in Arabic). 8 February 2009. Archived from the original on 18 October 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2023.

[3] "Who will fill Jabari's shoes as Hamas military chief?". Israel Hayom. 15 November 2012. Retrieved 16 November 2023.

[4] "Joint Room and 'Unity of the Squares': What Will the Next Israeli War on Gaza Look Like". Palestine Chronicle. 12 June 2023. Retrieved 13 November 2023.

[5] "Israeli air strike kills senior Hamas armed commander Ayman Nofal in Gaza". Reuters. 17 October 2023. Archived from the original on 17 October 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2023.

[6] Rothwell, James (17 October 2023). "Hamas chief killed in Gaza airstrike". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Archived from the original on 17 October 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2023.

[7] Fabian, Emanuel. "Chief of Hamas military brigade killed in Israeli airstrike in Gaza". www.timesofisrael.com. Archived from the original on 17 October 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2023.

[8] Brennan, David (17 October 2023). "Top Hamas commander killed in Israeli strike". Newsweek. Archived from the original on 17 October 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2023.

[9] "Following Terrorist Attack on Israel, Treasury Sanctions Hamas Operatives and Financial Facilitators". Office of Foreign Assets Control. 18 October 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.

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@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 {{pp|small=yes}}
 {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
 {{Infobox person
 | name               = Ayman Nofal
 | native_name        = أيمن نوفل
-| birth_date         = {{Birth year|1974}}
+| birth_date         = {{Birth date|1974|05|13|df=yes}}
-| birth_place        = [[Bureij]], [[Occupation of the Gaza Strip by the United Arab Republic|Egyptian-occupied Gaza Strip]]
+| birth_place        = [[Bureij]], [[Israeli occupation of the Gaza Strip|Israeli-occupied Gaza Strip]]
-| death_date         = <!-- {{Death date and age|2023|10|0|1974|df=yes}} --> October 2023 (aged 49)
+| death_date         = <!-- {{Death date and age| 17|2023|10|1974|05|13|df=yes}} --> October 2023 (aged 49)
 | death_place        = Bureij, Gaza Strip
 | nationality        = [[State of Palestine|Palestinian]]
 | occupation         =
 | spouse             =
+}} {{Hamas history}}
-}}
-{{Campaignbox 2023 Israel–Hamas war}}
-'''Ayman Nofal''' ({{lang-ar|أيمن نوفل}}; 13 May 1974 – October 2023) was a Palestinian senior commander in [[Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades|Al-Qassam Brigades]], the militant arm of [[Hamas]]. Nofal was a member of the group's General Military Council, head of its Central Gaza Brigade, and head of air operations. He was killed during the [[2023 Israel-Hamas war]].
+'''Ayman Nofal''' ({{lang-ar|أيمن نوفل}}; 13 May 1974 – 17 October 2023){{cn|date=August 2024}} was a Palestinian senior commander in [[Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades|Al-Qassam Brigades]], the militant arm of [[Hamas]]. Nofal was a member of the group's General Military Council, head of its Central Gaza Brigade, and head of air operations. He was killed during the [[2023 Israel-Hamas war]].
 ==Biography==
 By 2008, Nofal was a leader in the [[Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades|Al-Qassam Brigades]], the militant arm of [[Hamas]], as a field commander in central Gaza.<ref name="SDT">{{cite news |last1=Barzak |first1=Ibrahim |title=Hamas man who fled Egyptian prison celebrated |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-hamas-man-who-fled-egyptian-prison-celebrated-2011feb06-story.html |access-date=16 November 2023 |work=[[San Diego Union-Tribune]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |date=2011-02-06}}</ref> Nofal was arrested along with 200 other Palestinians in the northern Egyptian city of [[Al-Arish]] in the [[Sinai Peninsula]] by Egyptian security forces in early 2008. After Palestinian militants blasted open a hole in the [[Egypt–Gaza barrier|Egypt-Gaza barrier]] in protest of Egypt's cooperation with Israel in January 2008, hundreds of Palestinians, including Nofal, crossed the border into Egypt.<ref name="SDT" />
-While many of the other Palestinian border crossers were released, as a wanted person by Israel, Nofal remained in Egyptian custody. According to [[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]], Egyptian authorities believed Nofal was planning to kill members of [[Fatah]] or was involved in weapons smuggling from Egypt to Gaza. Hamas denied Nofal's involvement in these activities. Egyptian authorities were reportedly interested in Nofal's knowledge of Hamas' missile capabilities, the location of kidnapped Israeli soldier [[Gilad Shalit]], and locations of senior Hamas militant leaders such as [[Muhammad Deif]] and [[Ahmed al-Jabari]]. <ref name="AJ">{{cite news |title=أيمن نوفل من سجون إسرائيل إلى السجون المصرية |url=https://www.aljazeera.net/amp/news/2009/2/8/%D8%A3%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%86%D9%88%D9%81%D9%84-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%B3%D8%AC%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%A5%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%8A%D9%84-%D8%A5%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%AC%D9%88%D9%86 |access-date=16 November 2023 |work=[[Al Jazeera Arabic|Al Jazeera]] |date=2009-02-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018224621/https://www.aljazeera.net/amp/news/2009/2/8/%D8%A3%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%86%D9%88%D9%81%D9%84-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%B3%D8%AC%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%A5%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%8A%D9%84-%D8%A5%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%AC%D9%88%D9%86 |archive-date=2023-10-18 |language=Arabic}}</ref> Nofal escaped from an Egyptian prison in February 2011 during the [[2011 Egyptian revolution]]. Nofal was smuggled back to Gaza via a [[Palestinian tunnel warfare in the Gaza Strip|smuggling tunnel]] and received a hero's welcome from Hamas upon his return.<ref name="SDT" />
+While many of the other Palestinian border crossers were released, as a wanted person by Israel, Nofal remained in Egyptian custody. According to [[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]], Egyptian authorities believed Nofal was planning to kill members of [[Fatah]] or was involved in weapons smuggling from Egypt to Gaza. Hamas denied Nofal's involvement in these activities. Egyptian authorities were reportedly interested in Nofal's knowledge of Hamas' missile capabilities, the location of captured Israeli soldier [[Gilad Shalit]], and locations of senior Hamas militant leaders such as [[Muhammad Deif]] and [[Ahmed al-Jabari]]. <ref name="AJ">{{cite news |title=أيمن نوفل من سجون إسرائيل إلى السجون المصرية |url=https://www.aljazeera.net/amp/news/2009/2/8/%D8%A3%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%86%D9%88%D9%81%D9%84-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%B3%D8%AC%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%A5%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%8A%D9%84-%D8%A5%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%AC%D9%88%D9%86 |access-date=16 November 2023 |work=[[Al Jazeera Arabic|Al Jazeera]] |date=2009-02-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018224621/https://www.aljazeera.net/amp/news/2009/2/8/%D8%A3%D9%8A%D9%85%D9%86-%D9%86%D9%88%D9%81%D9%84-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%B3%D8%AC%D9%88%D9%86-%D8%A5%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A6%D9%8A%D9%84-%D8%A5%D9%84%D9%89-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%AC%D9%88%D9%86 |archive-date=2023-10-18 |language=Arabic}}</ref> Nofal escaped from an Egyptian prison in February 2011 during the [[2011 Egyptian revolution]]. Nofal was smuggled back to Gaza via a [[Palestinian tunnel warfare in the Gaza Strip|smuggling tunnel]] and received a hero's welcome from Hamas upon his return.<ref name="SDT" />
 After Ahmed Jabari was killed in an airstrike in November 2012, Nofal was considered a possible successor as Hamas's military chief. Other possible successors included Imad Akel, Central Brigade commander [[Ahmed Ghandour (militant)|Ahmed Ghandour]], and [[Mohammed Abu-Shamala]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Who will fill Jabari's shoes as Hamas military chief? |url=https://www.israelhayom.co.il/news/article/14116240 |access-date=16 November 2023 |work=[[Israel Hayom]] |date=2012-11-15}}</ref>
+=== 2023 Israel–Palestine war ===
+{{Campaignbox 2023 Israel–Hamas war}}
 By 2023, Nofal was a member of the Al-Qassam Brigades's General Military Council. In this role, he also directed its relations with other militant organizations via the [[Palestinian Joint Operations Room]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Joint Room and 'Unity of the Squares': What Will the Next Israeli War on Gaza Look Like |url=https://www.palestinechronicle.com/joint-room-and-unity-of-the-squares-what-will-the-next-israeli-war-on-gaza-look-like/ |access-date=13 November 2023 |work=Palestine Chronicle |date=2023-06-12}}</ref>
@@ Line 27: / Line 31: @@
 During the [[2023 Israel-Hamas war]], Nofal was a commander of the Central Gaza Brigade.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-10-17 |title=Israeli air strike kills senior Hamas armed commander Ayman Nofal in Gaza |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-air-strike-kills-senior-hamas-armed-commander-ayman-nofal-gaza-2023-10-17/ |access-date=2023-10-18 |archive-date=17 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017172100/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-air-strike-kills-senior-hamas-armed-commander-ayman-nofal-gaza-2023-10-17/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Rothwell |first=James |date=2023-10-17 |title=Hamas chief killed in Gaza airstrike |language=en-GB |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/10/17/hamas-chief-ayman-nofal-killed-gaza-airstrike/ |access-date=2023-10-18 |issn=0307-1235 |archive-date=17 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017205701/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/10/17/hamas-chief-ayman-nofal-killed-gaza-airstrike/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On 17 October 2023, a statement from Hamas confirmed his death in an airstrike.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fabian |first=Emanuel |title=Chief of Hamas military brigade killed in Israeli airstrike in Gaza |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/chief-of-hamas-military-brigade-killed-in-israeli-airstrike-in-gaza/ |access-date=2023-10-18 |website=www.timesofisrael.com |language=en-US |archive-date=17 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017134320/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/chief-of-hamas-military-brigade-killed-in-israeli-airstrike-in-gaza/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Brennan |first=David |date=2023-10-17 |title=Top Hamas commander killed in Israeli strike |url=https://www.newsweek.com/ayman-nofal-top-hamas-commander-killed-israeli-strike-gaza-palestinian-1835403 |access-date=2023-10-18 |website=Newsweek |language=en |archive-date=17 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231017214129/https://www.newsweek.com/ayman-nofal-top-hamas-commander-killed-israeli-strike-gaza-palestinian-1835403 |url-status=live }}</ref>
 After his death, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Nofal a [[Specially Designated Global Terrorist]] for his role on Hamas's General Military Council and as its commander of military relations.<ref>{{cite news |title=Following Terrorist Attack on Israel, Treasury Sanctions Hamas Operatives and Financial Facilitators |url=https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1816 |access-date=20 November 2023 |agency=[[Office of Foreign Assets Control]] |date=2023-10-18}}</ref>
 == References ==
 {{Reflist}}
+{{targeted killing by Israel}}
-{{2023 Israel–Hamas war}}
+{{2023 Israel–Hamas war}}{{Hamas}}
 {{DEFAULTSORT:Nofal, Ayman}}
@@ Line 40: / Line 45: @@
 [[Category:21st-century Palestinian people]]
 [[Category:People from Deir al-Balah Governorate]]
-[[Category:Military personnel killed in the 2023 Israel–Hamas war]]
+[[Category:Military personnel killed in the Israel–Hamas war]]
 [[Category:Deaths by Israeli airstrikes]]

Hamas biographies
Yassin + Haniyeh Rantisi Mashal Sinwar + Issa Deif Deif Mabhouh Khan Yunis Beit Hanoun Jabalia
Map: Birthplaces and family origins.
Abbreviations p. parents from b. born in d. death
Leaders Party leader Ahmed Yassin b. Al-Jura, d. 2004 Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi b. Yibna, d. 2004 Ismail Haniyeh p. Al-Jura, b. Al-Shati, d. 2024 Khaled Mashal b. Silwad Leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar p. Al‑Majal, b. Khan Yunis Deputy Leader Saleh al-Arouri Military wing leader Mohammed Deif p. Kawkaba (near Kokhav Michael) and Al‑Qubayba, b. Khan Yunis d. Failed attempt in 2014 Possible death in 2024
Politicians and officials Male politicians Basem Naim b. Beit Hanoun Head of International relations Previously: Health Minister Aziz Dweik Ali Baraka Mousa Abu Marzook Female politicians Jamila al-Shanti b. Jabalia, m. Widow of Rantisi, d. 2023 Minister for Women's Affairs Government officials in Gaza Faiq Al-Mabhouh p. Bayt Tima, b. Jabalia, d. 2024 Police and crisis management Ashraf al-Qidra Health Ministry spokesperson Officials in Lebanon Osama Hamdan
Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades Mohammed Deif p. Kawkaba (near Kokhav Michael) and Al‑Qubayba, b. Khan Yunis d. failed attempt in 2014 d. unconfirmed in 2024 Marwan Issa p. Ashkelon b. Bureij refugee camp Alleged Al Qassam militants Ahmed Jabari Lehi Street bomber Mahmoud Rushdi Ishtiwi [ar] Muhammad Abu Shamala [ar] Raed al Atar Alleged "Nukhba" Ali Al Qadi
Other biography pages Mahmoud Al-Mabhouh p. Bayt Tima b. Jabalia d. 2010 Ismail Abu Shanab Imad Abbas Imad al-Alami Salah al-Bardawil Wissam Farhat Essam al-Da'alis Abu Omar Hassan Sheikh Abu Salah Taha Hassan Yousef Mahmoud al-Zahar Mohammad Taha
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