Mazen Faqha

Mazen Muhammad Suleiman Faqha (; 24 August 1979 – 24 March 2017) was a senior commander in the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas). He was sentenced by Israel to 9 life terms in 2003 for his involvement in the planning and execution of multiple terrorist acts beginning in 2001. He was released as part of the 2011 Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange and deported to Gaza. After his release, he was one of the founders and leaders of Hamas' section in the West Bank.

Biography Faqha was born in 1978. He was from Tubas, northeast of Nablus in the West Bank.

He was arrested in Tubas on 5 August 2002, during the Second Intifada and jailed by Israel in 2003 for planning attacks against Israelis. He was sentenced to nine life terms for his role in the Meron Junction Bus 361 attack that left nine Israelis dead, After the assassination, the Israeli Defense Force Southern Command was placed on high alert, as Israel feared retaliation from Hamas. At Faqha's funeral procession in Gaza City on March 25, marchers shouted, "Revenge, revenge." Khalil al-Hayya, deputy to Yahya Sinwar, promised retaliation. Hamas set up checkpoints throughout Gaza and barred residents and foreign workers from leaving. and newly elected Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh stated that the assassin had been working with Israel, but he did not identify them. Israel did not issue a comment on the killing. Hamas conducted the executions as planned, hanging two of the men and killing one by firing squad. The execution was livestreamed by the Gaza Now News Network. Human Rights Watch condemned the executions in a statement.

On 8 June, Israel arrested seven Arabs it said were involved in a plot to kill Israeli soldiers to avenge Faqha's killing.