Israel’s $200,000 Bounty Sparks Curiosity—Who Is Rafea Salama in the Complex Tapestry of Gaza’s Leadership?
Watan-The list included names of Hamas leaders for whom the Israeli military offered financial rewards for information, and one of the names was “Rafea Salama.” This name may be unfamiliar to many, even though it ranked third on the list that included the name of Yahya al-Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in Gaza.
Alongside a picture of Rafea Salama in the Israeli list was a reward of $200,000, prompting activists to question who he is, and what his role or position is within the Qassam Brigades (Hamas’ military wing).
#رافع_سلامة حسب ترتيبه في القائمة المطلوبين من المخابرات الاسرائيلية
يكون رجل ذو شأن كبير
لك مني هذا الدعاء اللهم أحفظه وأستره وسدد رميه و قويه على أعداء الله ورسوله هو وكل المجاهدين في غزة العزة
يا ترى من يكون ؟؟؟ #طوفات_الاقصى #غزه_مقبرة_الغزاة— Madjid (عبد المجيد الحلاواني)🇩🇿🇩🇿💪💪 (@madjid_mido) December 14, 2023
The Israeli publications that have been disseminated among Palestinians and shared on social media since yesterday include a substantial financial reward for anyone providing the Israeli military with information about Yahya al-Sinwar, Mohammed al-Sinwar, Rafea Salama, and Mohammed al-Dayya.
For some, the recent publication is considered evidence of the ongoing intelligence failure of the Israeli forces, especially given that the Israeli security apparatus, boasting advanced capabilities, failed to anticipate the Hamas attack on October 7. Moreover, it has been unsuccessful in locating any leaders of the Qassam Brigades or members of the resistance factions, despite approximately 70 days having passed since the start of the war.
Now, resorting to offering rewards to Gaza residents—an approach not frequently adopted by Israeli intelligence—has sparked a wave of mockery and disdain among social media users.
لم يؤلم قلبي في هذه الصورة إلا أني لا أعرف اسم هذا البطل “رافع سلامة”!!
أنا من أمة تتكدس بالأبطال وتغص بالباسلين وليست لنا القدرة حتى على معرفة أكثرهم، وكان حقهم أن تكتب في سيرهم المجلدات الكبار!!
حسبهم أن الله يعرفهم، وأنه يجزيهم بما هو أهله! pic.twitter.com/MIYFvpFFGQ
— محمد إلهامي (@melhamy) December 14, 2023
“Rafea Salama” is the commander of the Khan Yunis Brigade
According to circulating information, Rafea Salama is one of the exceptional leaders in the Qassam Brigades and leads the Khan Yunis Brigade, which is considered one of the most formidable and deadliest brigades against the occupation forces.
Rafea Salama held a prestigious position at the “Al-Hurani” Preparatory School in the Khan Yunis camp, one of the UN schools, before voluntarily resigning to devote himself to the resistance project.
The mother of the leader Rafea Salama is the martyr Rahima Salama Abu Shamala, who was martyred in a cowardly Zionist attempt to assassinate her son Rafea. It is said that she froze in front of her home’s door, refusing to allow the occupation soldiers to enter and arrest her son. She wanted to make sure that her son Rafea had managed to escape before the occupation killed her with dozens of bullets.
The uncle of the Qassam leader Rafea Salama is the martyr Adib Jawad Abu Shamala, a member of the political bureau of Hamas. He is said to be the person closest to the senior leader Yahya al-Sinwar and was known for his “good manners, gentle nature, and exceptional intellect.”
بخصوص القائد الكبير رافع سلامة الذي أعلن الاحتلال عن جائزة مالية ضخمة لم يدلي بمعلومات عنه وكتب العشرات أنهم سمعوا به لأول مرة:-
١- الرجل أحد القادة الاستثنائيين في كتائب القسام ويقود لواء مدينة خانيونس، أحد الألوية الأكثر شراسة والأشد فتكًا في الاحتلال.
٢- كان يعمل في وظيفة…
— Ali Abo Rezeg (@ARezeg) December 14, 2023
exceptional role model
Rafea Salama was an exceptional role model for his students in the preparatory stage. The occupation accuses him of being behind or planning several operations that have troubled the occupation and resulted in dozens of casualties in Israel. One of the most significant operations attributed to him is the martyrdom of Ahmed Abu Tahun and Amr Tabash, as well as the abduction and securing of the Israeli soldier Shalit, among other operations.
According to circulating information, Rafea Salama, the commander of the Khan Yunis Brigade, affiliated with the movement, has been a target of Israel for years. In 2021, the Israeli army destroyed his house in Gaza, stating that it was “part of the infrastructure targeted in the operation.”
On Friday, the Israeli army suffered more human losses in battles in the southern part of the Gaza Strip after facing strikes from the resistance the day before. The Qassam Brigades confirmed the killing of 36 Israeli soldiers and the injury of dozens within 72 hours.
