On April 17, Hamas marks the 20th anniversary of the death of Abd al-Aziz al-Rantisi, a former leader of the organization who was killed by Israeli forces. However, there are no public events scheduled in Gaza to commemorate this occasion. The ongoing war initiated by Hamas in October 2023 has kept residents preoccupied and unable to focus on remembering al-Rantisi. In place of public commemorations, Hamas is celebrating the anniversary through publications on its websites and social media platforms.
Abd al-Aziz al-Rantisi was born on October 23, 1947, in what is now Yavneh, south of Tel Aviv. He grew up with 11 siblings and his family fled to the Gaza Strip in 1948. After completing his education and becoming a certified pediatrician, al-Rantisi became actively involved in politics in Gaza. He played a significant role in the founding of the Islamic movement Hamas in 1987 and became a leader in the organization.
Throughout his life, al-Rantisi faced multiple incarcerations by both Israeli and Palestinian authorities due to his involvement in Hamas and his outspoken views against collaboration with Israel. Despite being under house arrest at times, he continued to advocate for the uncompromising struggle against Israel and coordinated militant actions within Hamas. In 2003, he refused to negotiate with the Palestinian Authority government.
Following the death of Sheikh Yassin in 2004, al-Rantisi became the de facto leader of Hamas until his own assassination later that year. He remained a public figure after his death, giving interviews and expressing his readiness to run for president of Palestine. His death marked the end of his leadership within Hamas and left a significant void in the organization.
The ongoing war initiated by Hamas has brought hardship upon residents living within Gaza’s borders. Despite their struggles, they continue to remember leaders such as Abd al-Aziz al-Rantisi who fought tirelessly for their cause.