The Hamas movement issued a press release mourning Dr. Andan Abdul-Hafeth Masoudy (Abu Al Abed), 72, who died on Saturday evening due to a number of chronic diseases. Dr. Abu Al Abed, who joined the Muslim Brotherhood in the 1950’s, is considered one of the founders of the Hamas movement, and one of the prominent Hamas political leaders in the southern West Bank city of Hebron.
He was repeatedly kidnapped and imprisoned by the Israeli army, and was also arrested by the Palestinian security forces in Hebron.
On December 17, 1992, Abu Al Abed was among the 416 Hamas and Islamic Jihad members who were deported by Israel to the Marj Al Zohour area in southern Lebanon.
The deported leaders camped in Marj Al Zohour under the snow, and continued their protest until they were allowed back to the country.
Hamas political leader, Abdul-Aziz Rantisi, who was assassinated by Israel on April 17, 2004, was one of the deported leaders, and became their spokesperson.
