israeli authorities

Hamas on Saturday vowed a “harsh response” against Israel for the killing of Mazen Faqha, a high-profile official with the Gaza Strip-based terrorist group. Faqha was found shot dead at the entrance of his house in the Tel al-Hawa neighborhood on Friday evening. According to Hamas he was shot four times in the head with a silenced gun. Hamas has vowed revenge against Israel. There is a problem: Hamas blamed Israel for the “assassination” but provided no proof to support the accusation. While the group usually points the finger at the Shin Bet security agency, this time Gaza’s rulers claimed the Mossad, Israel’s national intelligence agency, was behind the hit. Faqha was well known in Israel. In 2003, he was apprehended by Israel and sentenced to nine life terms with an additional 50 years for directing a 2002 suicide bombing in Safed that left nine Israelis dead and dozens wounded. He was released as part of the 2011 Schalit prisoner exchange and was deported to Gaza, where he formed Hamas “West Bank headquarters”, tasked with creating terrorist cells across Judea and Samaria. Hamas will do everything to avenge Farah. The means of revage are manifold and we know that Hamas executes those convicted of collaborating with Israel.