Fursan Mahmoud Abdullah Khalifa | |
|---|---|
| Native name | فرسان محمود عبد الله خليفة |
| Born | 8 April 1983 |
| Died | 25 November 2023 (aged 40) |
| Cause of death | Targeted bombing |
| Buried | Tulkarm, West Bank |
| Allegiance |  Hamas |
| Military | al-Qassam Brigades |
| Service years | 2000–2003; 2011–2023 |
| Rank | Military Commander |
| Conflicts | |
| Alma mater | al-Quds Open University |
| Children | 4 |
Fursan Mahmoud Abdullah Khalifa[1] (Arabic:فرسان محمود عبد الله خليفة; 8 April 1983 – 25 November 2023) was a senior Palestinian military commander ofHamas and theQassam Brigades.[2] He was born inTulkarm to a prominent senior Hamas leader and military commander.[3][4] He was in detention under the Israeli government from 2003 until 2011, when he was released as part of theGilad Shalit prisoner exchange, and was deported to theGaza Strip.[5] He was later assassinated by theIDF duringOperation Iron Sword.[6]
Khalifa was born inTulkarm on 8 April 1983 in theNur Shams refugee camp. During theSecond Intifada, he became a prominent member of theal-Qassam Brigades and was captured and arrested by Israel on 7 April 2003 for conspiracy to commit terror attacks against it.[7] Khalifa was found guilty of terrorism and sentenced to 24 years in prison.[8] He was released by Israeli authorities in 2011 as one of over 1,000 Palestinian prisoners exchanged for the life of captured Israeli soldierGilad Shalit, ending up in Gaza.[5]
Following his release in 2011, Khalifa became one of the most prominent members of theWest Bank division of the al-Qassam Brigades.[9] He was the first official to be appointed a commander for the Northern West Bank.[10] Israel alleged that after his release, he directed several terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians,[7] and that he worked to strengthen the military infrastructure of Hamas in the West Bank.[11]
Khalifa held aBachelor's degree in "Social and Family Development" fromAl-Quds Open University, and in 2021, obtained a Master's degree from their Institute of Sustainable Development.[12]
Khalifa was killed as part of the Israeli response to thesurprise invasion during theIsraeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip.[3] His body was found on November 25, 2023 under the rubble following the entry of Palestinian forces into a building following thetemporary ceasefire. A funeral was held for him in his hometown of Tulkarm.[13] Hamas confirmed the deaths of Khalifa and several other commanders on November 25.[14]
