Ismail Abu Shanab

Born in 1955 in Gaza’s Shati RC to refugee parents; studied at Al-Mansura University in Cairo and later graduated with a MA in Engineering from Colorado State University; instructor in Engineering at Gaza Islamic University; was imprisoned in 1989 for his role in establishing Hamas and serving as a deputy to Sheikh Ahmad Yassin; released in 1996; elected – on the Hamas slate - chairman of the Palestinian Engineers Association in 1996; served as Hamas’ observer to the PLO Central Council; one of the leaders and spokespersons – especially with regard to the foreign press due to his good English skills - of Hamas’ political wing in Gaza, considered the movement’s leading pragmatist and a moderate voice; Hamas representative to the 2002 talks in Gaza of all major factions towards a unified Palestinian position as well as to the summer 2003 talks with PM Mahmoud Abbas on a (temporary) ceasefire agreement (hudna); Hamas’ liaison with PM Abbas; assassinated by Israel on 21 August 2003 along with his two bodyguards in an air missile strike at a car carrying him in the Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City.