BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Attributed to "security sources" [From IDF Spokesperson 17 April 2004]

Abdel Aziz Rantisi, leader of the Hamas terror organization, was killed in
an operation by Israeli security forces.

Rantisi, one of the founders of Hamas in the Gaza strip, was responsible for
the Hamas terror policy and promoted the carrying out of deadly terror
attacks.

Rantisi, 56, was recently chosen to head the Hamas organization, replacing
Ahmed Yassin. Rantisi took part in establishing the terrorist policy of the
organization and also served as its main spokesperson. He played a key and
active role in inciting to carry out terror attacks.

Rantisi was one of the six founders of the Hamas in September 1987, along
with Ahmed Yassin. He first served as head of the Hamas in Khan Yunis and
was among the senior leadership of the Hamas during the first Palestinian
'Intifada'. He was jailed between 1988-1990 and following his release
returned to activity in the Hamas. He was briefly Jailed in 1991.

Rantisi, originally from Khan Yunis, was by profession a doctor and a
lecturer at the Islamic University. With the start of the violence in Sep'
2000 he moved to the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza.

In December 1992, he was expelled to Lebanon where he served as a
spokesperson for the expelled group. In December 1993 he was arrested again
after being named by other Hamas members as a contact for the terrorist
network and for coordinating the appointment of operatives for various
positions in the organization. For these activities he was jailed until
April 1997.

Following his release from Israeli jail he began to reorganize the Hamas
leadership in the Gaza strip. He expressed extremist positions and enjoyed
the support of the extremist members of the terrorist apparatus and of the
Hamas leadership abroad, based in Syria. He tried to replace the old
leadership of Hamas, which was active between 1995-1997 in Gaza because he
felt they were too moderate. In elections held may 1997, a new leadership of
30 activists was elected. Rantisi, with the encouragement of the Hamas
abroad, represented this group and was appointed spokesperson for the Hamas
in Gaza.

Between 1997-2000 Rantisi was jailed periodically by the Palestinian
Authority, but was able to continue to act within the Hamas and worked to
strengthen his position within the Hamas organization and specifically
within the leadership.

Since the outbreak of violence in September 2000, Rantisi solidified his
position within the Hamas leadership. His role included:

* Virulent incitement, repeatedly calling for suicide attack inside
Israel, continued attack in Gaza, kidnapping of Israeli soldiers and firing
of mortar shells into Israel.

* Rantisi maintained contact with senior terror leaders within the
Hamas and encouraged them to continue carrying out attacks. He was
responsible for establishing and overseeing secret terrorist cells.

* He maintained contact with the Hamas leadership abroad and with
senior members of the Palestinian Authority, advocating an extremist
position which opposed any cease fire with Israel or any political
arrangement between the PA and Israel. He called for continued terror
attacks against Israel, all the while trying to undermine any diplomatic
efforts of the PA.

Rantisi publicly called, at every possible opportunity, to continue armed
attacks and specifically to increase the suicide attacks and attempt to
kidnap Israeli soldiers. These public calls were taken as operational
directive of the Hamas leadership.

Rantisi was officially named as the replacement of Ahmed Yassin.

The following are statements by Rantisi (source - Hamas internet site, 26th
January 2004).

* There will be concession of one inch of Palestine, because it is Islamic
Land.
* There will be no recognition of what is called "the State of Israel".
* Any solution which includes recognizing what is called "the State of
Israel" or concession on one inch of historic Palestine is unacceptable and
void, and doesn't obligate us at all.
* [Violent] Resistance is the only option for the restoration of our stolen
rights.

In interviews on April 9, 2004 - "We say to the Muslim people of Iraqi, we
are with you in you're struggle against the American terror and destruction,
we are with you in your war in defense of Islam. We say to the fighter and
commander Mokutada A- Sadr: Hamas stands by your side and blesses your
Jihad (holy war) and wishes you with the help of God, that you will win and
be victorious."