Hamas 'captures assassins who killed top leader'

Hamas has reportedly captured members of the cell that assassinated top leader Mazen Faqha, sources told The New Arab on Tuesday.

MENA

2 min read

The New Arab

11 April, 2017

Hamas tightly restricted access out of the enclave following the assassination [AFP]

Hamas has captured members of the cell that assassinated top leader Mazen Faqha, sources close to the Islamist group told The New Arab's correspondent in Gaza Diaa Kahlout.

At least one of the assassins is thought to have escaped the Strip towards Israel, the sources added.

In the past few hours, Hamas seems to have reduced its security measures in place since it imposed a lockdown on the coastal enclave and launched a manhunt in an attempt to capture the killers before the could escape.

The New Arab's correspondent reported an easing of searches of vehicles and passersby, in what may be a confirmation of the killers' arrest.

Media outlets close to Hamas, quoting sources in the investigation committee, said the investigation has now concluded, with a final report to be submitted imminently to Hamas's recently appointed chief in Gaza Yahya Sinwar.

On 24 March, gunmen in the Palestinian territory shot dead Hamas official Mazen Faqha, who had been freed by Israel in a 2011 prisoner swap, in what appeared to be a planned assassination.

After Faqha was killed, Hamas pointed the finger of blame at "collaborators" and at Israel.

According to Hamas, Faqha formed cells for the group's military wing in the West Bank cities of Tubas, where he was born, and Jenin.

Hamas prosecutor in Gaza issued a gag order on media coverage following the killing on the grounds of protecting the investigation. The order remained in place as of Sunday.

Hamas, which runs the Gaza Strip, also tightly restricted access out of the enclave following the March 24 assassination.

The closure of border crossings affected international aid workers as well as the movement of Gazans in and out of the Strip, a move criticised at the time by some rights groups.

Exits by sea were also barred despite demands from fishermen preparing for one of the year's most productive periods.