Overview
Marwan Issa was the U.S.-designated deputy commander of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s military wing. Some sources claim Issa was named the group’s leader following the death of Ahmed Jaabari in an Israeli attack in 2012. Issa remained deputy commander to Hamas military leader Mohammed Deif, but served as a representative for the Brigades in Hamas’s political bureau.Elior Levy, “Head of Hamas' military wing makes rare appearance,” Ynetnews, March 1, 2015, https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4632278,00.html; Adnan Abu Amer, “Hamas won't give up military wing despite agreement,” Al-Monitor, May 2, 2014, https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/05/qassam-weapons-hamas-fatah-reconciliation.html#ixzz6ZWmOjonx; Brandon Friendman, “Another Gaza War?,” Foreign Policy Research Institute, November 13, 2018, https://www.fpri.org/article/2018/11/another-gaza-war/. Israel accused Issa of helping plan Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack, which killed approximately 1,200 people and sparked a war between Hamas and Israel.“Samia Nakhoul, James Mackenzie and Phil Stewart, “Insight: Israel’s most wanted: the three Hamas leaders in Gaza it aims to kill,” Reuters, December 1, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israels-most-wanted-three-hamas-commanders-gaza-it-must-kill-2023-12-01/. Israel killed Issa in a March 2024 airstrike.Adam Rasgon, “Israel Says It Targeted Marwan Issa, a Top Hamas Leader in Gaza,” New York Times, March 11, 2024, https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/11/world/middleeast/israel-strike-marwan-issa-hamas.html; Ellen Mitchell, “Top Hamas commander killed in Israeli airstrike: White House,” Hill, March 18, 2024, https://thehill.com/policy/defense/4539947-top-hamas-commander-killed-in-israeli-airstrike-white-house/.
Born in a refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip, not much else was known about Issa’s years before joining Hamas. According to scholars at the Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, Issa was previously responsible for Hamas’s special operations unit, where he associated closely with the external leadership. Issa reportedly led the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades in the central Gaza Strip.“Elections to the Hamas Political Bureau in the Gaza Strip: Overview and Significance,” Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, February 22, 2017, https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/Data/articles/Art_21158/E_035_17_312810974.pdf.
Furthermore, Issa was incarcerated in Israel between 1987 and 1993 for his involvement in terrorist attacksduring the first Palestinian intifada.Darcie Grunblatt, “Marwan Issa: Who is the deputy to Hamas leader Mohammed Deif?,” Jerusalem Post, March 11, 2024, https://www.jpost.com/israel-hamas-war/article-791302. However, no specific information has been made available regarding his participation in terrorist attacks that landed him in prison. Issa reportedly survived an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) attempt to assassinate him in 2006.“Elections to the Hamas Political Bureau in the Gaza Strip: Overview and Significance,” Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, February 22, 2017, https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/Data/articles/Art_21158/E_035_17_312810974.pdf.
On June 25, 2006, a group of Palestinian terrorists representing multiple terrorist groups, including Hamas, launched a cross-border raid into Israel and captured 19-year-old Corporal Gilad Shalit.Tim Butcher, “Soldier Kidnapped and Two Killed in Gaza Tunnel Attack,” Telegraph (London), June 26, 2006, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/1522370/Soldier-kidnapped-and-two-killed-in-Gaza-tunnel-attack.html; Steven Erlanger, “Tensions Rise After Israeli Is Kidnapped,” New York Times, June 26, 2006, http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/26/world/middleeast/26cnd-mideast.html. Hamas held Shalit until a negotiated October 2011 prisoner exchange for 1,027 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody.Jeffrey Heller and Nidal al-Mughrabi, “Israel and Hamas Agree Prisoner Swap to Free Shalit,” Reuters, October 11, 2011, http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/10/11/us-israel-palestinians-shalit-idUSTRE79A58R20111011. Issa reportedly played a role in arranging the prisoner exchange.“Samia Nakhoul, James Mackenzie and Phil Stewart, “Insight: Israel’s most wanted: the three Hamas leaders in Gaza it aims to kill,” Reuters, December 1, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israels-most-wanted-three-hamas-commanders-gaza-it-must-kill-2023-12-01/.
On November 14, 2012, the IDF carried out several airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, killing Ahmed Jaabari, the leader of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Issa was also targeted in the strikes but survived.Bill Rogio, “Israel Kills Top Hamas Military Commander in Gaza Airstrike,” Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, November 14, 2012, https://www.fdd.org/analysis/op-eds/2012/11/14/israel-kills-top-hamas-military-commander-in-gaza-airstrike/.
In a rare appearance at a conference organized by an undisclosed think tank linked to Hamas in March 2015, Issa addressed a February 3, 2015 ruling by the Egyptian court that blacklisted the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, as well as Hamas, as a terrorist group.Elior Levy, “Head of Hamas' military wing makes rare appearance,” Ynetnews, March 1, 2015, https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4632278,00.html. Issa claimed Hamas was not seeking a military confrontation with Israel, but sought to double its force for a future confrontation by manufacturing its own rockets. He also claimed that Hamas sought to forge regional alliances that would allow it to procure additional arms.“Elections to the Hamas Political Bureau in the Gaza Strip: Overview and Significance,” Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, February 22, 2017, https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/Data/articles/Art_21158/E_035_17_312810974.pdf; Elior Levy, “Head of Hamas' military wing makes rare appearance,” Ynetnews, March 1, 2015, https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4632278,00.html.
In January 2019, Hamas operatives reportedly discovered and disassembled spyware equipment placed in a home adjacent to Issa’s. The device was allegedly placed by a “collaborator” who sought to record audio from Issa’s home and send it to Israel in an effort to circumvent recent changes in Issa’s use of communication technology. The “collaborator” was allegedly arrested by unidentified Palestinian operatives, who later discovered a larger network of spyware across the Gaza Strip.Adam Rasgon, “Hamas Claims to Foil Israeli Attempt to Spy on One of its Gaza Leaders,” Times of Israel, January 21, 2019, https://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-claims-it-foiled-israeli-attempt-to-spy-on-military-leader-in-gaza/.
On September 10, 2019, the U.S. Department of State designated Issa as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist for his role in Hamas.“Terrorist Designations under Amended Executive Order to Modernize Sanctions to Combat Terrorism,” U.S. Department of State, September 10, 2019, https://www.state.gov/terrorist-designations-under-amended-executive-order-to-modernize-sanctions-to-combat-terrorism/.
In February 2020, it was reported that Israel planned to assassinate Issa and Hamas leader Yahya al-Sinwar. Upon learning of the plot, Egyptian intelligence officials traveled to Israel to persuade them not to carry out the assassinations. The Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades responded that their leaders do not fear assassination and will continue pursuing their resistance against Israel.“Egypt warned Israel not to assassinate Hamas leaders in Gaza,” Middle East Monitor, February 19, 2020, https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200219-egypt-warned-israel-not-to-assassinate-hamas-leaders-in-gaza/.
In January 2021, former Hamas commander Basel Salahiya alleged that Israel created 430 tunnels into Gaza in preparation for a surprise attack. He accused senior Hamas leaders, including Issa, of being aware of the tunnels’ existence but keeping the knowledge secret from the Palestinian public. Hamas officials, however, stated that Salahiya’s allegations were false, and seek to “hurt the morale of Hamas operatives and the Palestinian public in the Gaza strip, in light of his removal from the organization.”Baruch Yedid, Disgraced Hamas Commander Claims IDF Has Attack Tunnels Running into Gaza,” Jewish Press, January 6, 2021, https://www.jewishpress.com/news/eye-on-palestine/hamas/disgraced-hamas-commander-claims-idf-has-attack-tunnels-running-into-gaza/2021/01/06/.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a barrage of rockets toward Israel, while Hamas fighters crossed into Israel from Gaza via motorcycles, pickup trucks, paragliders, and speed boats in an unprecedented assault by the terror group during the Jewish Sabbath and holiday of Shemini Atzeret. Hamas had launched at least 3,500 rockets toward Israel by the end of the day. Hamas killed at least 1,200 people and captured approximately 240 civilian and military hostages.Josef Federman and Issam Adwan, “Hamas surprise attack out of Gaza stuns Israel and leaves hundreds dead in fighting, retaliation,” Associated Press, October 7, 2023, https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-11fb98655c256d54ecb5329284fc37d2; “Israel revises Hamas attack death toll to ‘around 1,200,’” Reuters, November 10, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-revises-death-toll-oct-7-hamas-attack-around-1200-2023-11-10/. Deif called for all-out war on Israel and called on Palestinians in east Jerusalem and the West Bank to join in the fighting. He labeled Hamas’s attack “Operation Al-Aqsa Storm,” also known as “Al-Aqsa Flood.” Deif called it a response to the Israeli-Egyptian blockade of Gaza, Israeli raids inside West Bank cities over the past year, and violence at the Al-Aqsa Mosque.Josef Federman and Issam Adwan, “Hamas surprise attack out of Gaza stuns Israel and leaves hundreds dead in fighting, retaliation,” Associated Press, October 7, 2023, https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-11fb98655c256d54ecb5329284fc37d2; Seth J. Frantzman, “Hamas terror commander Deif calls for all out war on Israel,” Jerusalem Post, October 7, 2023, https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-762052. Israel declared war on Hamas and launched an offensive in Gaza to uproot the terrorist group.Eyad Kourdi and Jonny Hallam, “Hamas claims to be holding more than 100 hostages, including Israeli army officers,” CNN, October 8, 2023, https://www.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/israel-hamas-gaza-attack-10-08-23/h_97798904006dac1bcebd4ec84e359b33. Israel’s military leaders named Issa, Deif, and Sinwar as their most-wanted in Gaza as they rooted out Hamas’s infrastructure. Israeli military leaders warned all three were on a kill list. Israel accused all three of forming a military council that planned and executed the October 7 attack.“Samia Nakhoul, James Mackenzie and Phil Stewart, “Insight: Israel’s most wanted: the three Hamas leaders in Gaza it aims to kill,” Reuters, December 1, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israels-most-wanted-three-hamas-commanders-gaza-it-must-kill-2023-12-01/. After the October attack, Israel raided Issa’s home in the Bureij refugee camp in Gaza. His home reportedly included a swimming pool, a large yard, and luxurious furniture.Darcie Grunblatt, “Marwan Issa: Who is the deputy to Hamas leader Mohammed Deif?,” Jerusalem Post, March 11, 2024, https://www.jpost.com/israel-hamas-war/article-791302. The European Union added Issa and Deif to its list of designated terrorists on December 8.“Fight against terrorism: Council adds two individuals to the EU terrorist list in response to the 7 October attacks,” European Council – Council of the European Union, December 8, 2023, https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/12/08/fight-against-terrorism-council-adds-two-individuals-to-the-eu-terrorist-list-in-response-to-the-7-october-attacks/.
Citing Palestinian sources, a March 2024 report by Sky News Arabia claimed the Hamas leadership had criticized Sinwar for launching the October 7 attack without prior consultation with Hamas’s political leaders. Sinwar reportedly consulted with his brother Muhammad Sinwar, Deif, and Issa. The four had not consulted the rest of the Hamas leadership and its political bureau, who were ignorant of the decision.Jerusalem Post, March 5, 2024, https://www.jpost.com/israel-hamas-war/article-790331. According to IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, Issa, Sinwar, and Deif comprise “the main triangle of terror.”Adam Rasgon, “Israel Says It Targeted Marwan Issa, a Top Hamas Leader in Gaza,” New York Times, March 11, 2024, https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/11/world/middleeast/israel-strike-marwan-issa-hamas.html.
Over the weekend of March 9-10, 2024, Israeli warplanes targeted Issa in a building in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. Five Palestinians reportedly died in the strike, but it was not immediately clear if Issa was among them. On March 11, Hagari declared Israel was still analyzing the results of the strike. Hamas also said it was investigating the strike and Issa’s fate.Adam Rasgon, “Israel Says It Targeted Marwan Issa, a Top Hamas Leader in Gaza,” New York Times, March 11, 2024, https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/11/world/middleeast/israel-strike-marwan-issa-hamas.html; Emanuel Fabian and agencies, “Israel, Hamas both said probing fate of terror group’s No. 3, targeted in airstrike,” Times of Israel, March 11, 2024, https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-hamas-both-said-probing-fate-of-terror-groups-no-3-targeted-in-airstrike/. On March 18, the White House confirmed Issa’s death in the strike a week earlier. Issa represented the highest-level Hamas death since the start of the Hamas-Israel war in October 2023. According to Jake Sullivan, national security adviser to U.S. President Joe Biden, the United States would help Israel locate other Hamas leaders and “justice will come for them too.”Phil McCausland, “Israel Gaza: US reports death of senior Hamas military leader Marwan Issa,” BBC News, March 19, 2024, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68578735. Sullivan claimed Hamas’s Gaza leadership likely remained in hiding in Gaza’s underground tunnel network.Ellen Mitchell, “Top Hamas commander killed in Israeli airstrike: White House,” Hill, March 18, 2024, https://thehill.com/policy/defense/4539947-top-hamas-commander-killed-in-israeli-airstrike-white-house/.
On February 1, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice issued an indictment charging Issa and five other senior Hamas leaders with terrorism charges related to October 7. According to the indictment, the six leaders played central roles in planning, supporting, and perpetrating Hamas’s terrorist atrocities of October 7. In addition to Issa, the indictment charged Deif, Sinwar, Haniyeh, Khaled Meshaal, and Ali Baraka. The complaint specifically charged the six with conspiracy to murder U.S. citizens, conspiracy to finance terrorism, conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction resulting in death, and conspiracy to support terrorism resulting in death. The complaint cited Hamas terrorist acts dating back to 1996. According to the Justice Department, the indictment was kept under seal to prevent Haniyeh and others from going into hiding. The Justice Department unsealed the indictment on September 3, 2024, after determining there was no longer sufficient reason to keep the indictment sealed after Haniyeh’s death that July.“Justice Department Announces Terrorism Charges Against Senior Leaders of Hamas,” U.S. Department of Justice, September 3, 2024, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-announces-terrorism-charges-against-senior-leaders-hamas.
Associated Groups
- Extremist entity
- Hamas
- Read Threat Report
- Type(s) of Organization:
- Political, religious, social service provider, terrorist, violent
- Ideologies and Affiliations:
- Islamist, jihadist, Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated group, pan-Islamist, Qutbist, Sunni
- Position(s):
- Deputy commander of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades (deceased)
Hamas is a U.S.-designated terrorist organization which has killed hundreds of Israeli citizens, as well as Americans, in suicide bombings and other terrorist attacks. Hamas has governed the Gaza Strip since it violently expelled the Palestinian Authority in 2007.
History
United States
The U.S. Department of State designated Marwan Issa as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist on September 10, 2019.“Terrorist Designations under Amended Executive Order to Modernize Sanctions to Combat Terrorism,” U.S. Department of State, September 10, 2019, https://www.state.gov/terrorist-designations-under-amended-executive-order-to-modernize-sanctions-to-combat-terrorism/.
European Union
The European Union added Marwan Issa to its terrorism list on December 8, 2023.“Fight against terrorism: Council adds two individuals to the EU terrorist list in response to the 7 October attacks,” European Council – Council of the European Union, December 8, 2023, https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/12/08/fight-against-terrorism-council-adds-two-individuals-to-the-eu-terrorist-list-in-response-to-the-7-october-attacks/.
Daily Dose
Extremists: Their Words. Their Actions.
Fact:
On October 7, 2023, Hamas invaded southern Israel where, in the space of eight hours, hundreds of armed terrorists perpetrated mass crimes of brutality, rape, and torture against men, women and children. In the biggest attack on Jewish life in a single day since the Holocaust, 1,200 were killed, and 251 were taken hostage into Gaza—where 101 remain. One year on, antisemitic incidents have increased by record numbers.