Hussein Abayat

Hussein Abayat (died 9 November 2000) was a senior commander in Tanzim, the paramilitary unit of Palestinian movement Fatah. At the beginning of the Second Intifada, the Israeli military killed Abayat outside Bethlehem, the first time that Israel publicly acknowledged conducting a targeted killing. Israel states that the targeted killing of Abayat was a response to attacks for which he was held responsible. It also stated that the operation was executed while he was en route to conduct another attack.

Death Early in the Second Intifada, the Israeli Shin Bet discovered that Abayat was behind shooting attacks on roads in the West Bank and in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Gilo. After the Ramallah lynching in October 2000, however, Israeli forces were hesitant to operate in Area A of the West Bank without large numbers of IDF soldiers. Israel concluded that the only way to target Abayat was via an undercover force of Shaldag Unit operatives and an air attack.

On 9 November 2000, approximately six weeks into the Second Intifada, an IDF helicopter fired anti-tank missiles at Abayat's truck traveling on a road in Beit Sahur, on the outskirts of Bethlehem. Abayat's assistant Khaled Salahat was severely wounded in the strike.

Aftermath The Israeli operation targeting Abayat occurred hours before Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat was to meet with U.S. President Bill Clinton in Washington.

Israeli deputy defense minister Efraim Sneh warned of additional missile attacks due to the nature of the guerrilla war with the Palestinians. Fatah officials vowed revenge, and Tanzim leader Marwan Barghouti warned of Palestinian reprisals.

In January 2001, an 18-year old Palestinian described as "simple-minded" was convicted in military trial and publicly executed by firing squad in Bethlehem for allegedly collaborating with Israel, leading to the operation against Abayat. Two other Palestinians were given prison terms of life.