Solved case · 2001
Dan Jerusalem Hotel from Mt. ScopusCredit: BekmawCC BY-SA 4.0SourceThe short answer
Israeli tourism minister Rehavam Ze'evi was shot dead at a Jerusalem hotel on 17 October 2001 by a Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) squad, in what the group said was revenge for Israel's killing of PFLP leader Abu Ali Mustafa. The four assassins were eventually convicted in Israel and given long prison terms.
No one's coverage is attached to this file yet.
Know great coverage of this case?
A documentary, a podcast episode, a careful long-form video. Suggest it and an editor will review it before it appears here.
Suggest coverage for Assassination of Rehavam Ze'eviRehavam Ze'evi, Israel's tourism minister, was shot and killed shortly before 7:00 am on 17 October 2001 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel (later the Dan Jerusalem Hotel) in Jerusalem. He was staying in room 816 without bodyguards, having declined protection despite threats. According to the account of events, an assassin identified as Hamdi Quran confirmed Ze'evi's presence in the dining room that morning, after which two assailants retrieved silenced pistols from a car in the hotel's parking garage and waited near a fire escape close to Ze'evi's room. When Ze'evi stepped out of the elevator on the 8th floor, Quran called out to him and, when Ze'evi turned, shot him in the head three times at close range. Two bullets struck his head; one caused fatal brain damage. Ze'evi was found bleeding in the corridor by his wife, Yael Ze'evi, and his driver, Adi Maman, minutes later. He was taken to Hadassah Medical Center in critical condition and was pronounced dead at 10:00 am.
The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) claimed responsibility, stating the attack was retaliation for Israel's assassination of PFLP leader Abu Ali Mustafa in August 2001. A PFLP official was quoted criticizing Ze'evi's right-wing positions, including his advocacy for the deportation of Palestinians.
Ze'evi was the first Israeli minister assassinated since Yitzhak Rabin and reportedly the most senior Israeli figure killed by Palestinian militants during the Arab–Israeli conflict. His funeral, held the following day at Mount Herzl cemetery in Jerusalem, drew thousands of mourners and eulogies from President Moshe Katsav and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who held Palestinian Authority leader Yasser Arafat personally responsible. The Palestinian Authority condemned the killing while calling on Israel to end its policy of targeted killings; Arafat said he would seek the assassins' arrest. UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President George W. Bush also condemned the attack.
The assassins fled to Arafat's Mukataa compound in Ramallah. During Operation Defensive Shield in 2002, Israeli forces besieged the compound, leading to the "Ramallah Agreement," under which the assassins were transferred to a Jericho prison guarded by British and American personnel. After Hamas won the 2006 Palestinian legislative elections and signaled intent to release the men, the foreign guards withdrew in March 2006. Israel then launched Operation Bringing Home the Goods, besieging the Jericho prison for roughly ten and a half hours before the four men—identified as Ahed Abu Gholma, Majdi Rahima Rimawi, Hamdi Quran, and Bassel al-Asmar—surrendered. Israel also captured Ahmed Saadat and Fuad Shubaki during the raid.
All four men were tried and convicted in Israel, receiving lengthy sentences: Quran 125 years, Asmar 45 years, Rimawi life plus 80 years, and Abu Gholma 30 years. Ahmed Saadat was separately sentenced in December 2008 to 30 years for leading the PFLP. In 2013, the French city of Bezons named Rimawi an "honorary resident," a decision criticized by Israeli officials and Jewish organizational leaders.
Israel assassinates PFLP leader Abu Ali Mustafa, later cited by the PFLP as motive for the Ze'evi killing.
The PFLP decides to assassinate Rehavam Ze'evi and begins gathering intelligence on his movements.
Rehavam Ze'evi is shot in the head at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Jerusalem and dies later that morning; the PFLP claims responsibility.
Ze'evi's funeral is held at Mount Herzl cemetery in Jerusalem.
Israeli troops besiege Arafat's Mukataa compound in Ramallah, where the assassins are hiding, as part of Operation Defensive Shield.
Arafat orders the arrest of the assassin squad, who are imprisoned in Jericho under the 'Ramallah Agreement.'
British and American guards arrive at Jericho prison to oversee custody of the assassins.
Hamas wins Palestinian legislative elections; leader Ismail Haniyeh signals intent to free the assassins.
British and American guards leave Jericho prison; Israel launches Operation Bringing Home the Goods, besieging the prison and capturing the four assassins along with Ahmed Saadat and Fuad Shubaki.
An Israeli military court sentences Ahmed Saadat to 30 years in prison for leading the PFLP.
The French city of Bezons names convicted assassin Majdi Al-Rimawi an 'honorary resident,' drawing criticism from Israeli officials.
Victims first. Every legal label is set from public records and court outcomes, not from the prose.
Israeli tourism minister shot and killed at a Jerusalem hotel on 17 October 2001[3]
Convicted as mastermind behind the assassination; sentenced to 30 years[3]
PFLP leader convicted and sentenced to 30 years for heading an illegal organization responsible for the assassination[3]
Convicted as look-out for the assassination; sentenced to 45 years[3]
Convicted of shooting Rehavam Ze'evi; sentenced to 125 years in prison[3]
Convicted as head of the assassination squad and getaway driver; sentenced to life plus 80 years[3]
From the record
Coverage is not a source: every fact in this file rests on the records below.
Are you family of someone named in this file? Corrections and removal requests from victims’ families are prioritized.
SOLVEDListenAmmunition Hill Jerusalem Light Rail station, Jerusalem · 2010s
On 9 October 2016, a Hamas militant opened fire on people near the Ammunition Hill light rail stop in Jerusalem, killing two and wounding six before being shot and killed by police during a pursuit.
UNSOLVEDListenFrench Hill settlement bus stop, East Jerusalem · 2000s
A suicide bomber killed seven people and injured dozens at a crowded bus stop in the French Hill settlement in northern East Jerusalem on 19 June 2002; Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades claimed responsibility.
SOLVEDListenMount Scopus campus, Hebrew University of Jerusalem · 2000s
On 31 July 2002, a Hamas cell detonated a bomb in a crowded cafeteria at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Mount Scopus campus, killing 9 people, including 5 U.S. students, and injuring about 100.
Apartment block, central Moscow, Russia · 2006
Russian journalist and human rights activist Anna Politkovskaya, a prominent critic of the Second Chechen War and of Vladimir Putin, was shot dead in her Moscow apartment building elevator on 7 October 2006. After a lengthy and repeatedly stalled investigation, six people were eventually convicted of crimes related to her murder, though the identity of whoever ordered the killing was never conclusively established in court.
Credit: Oliver MarkCC BY-SA 4.0SourceSOLVEDListenLiaquat National Bagh, Rawalpindi, Pakistan · 2007
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was killed on 27 December 2007 in Rawalpindi following a shooting and suicide bombing after a political rally, an attack that also killed 23 other people. A UN inquiry found her security had been fatally insufficient and the crime scene mishandled; two police officers were later convicted, five Taliban-linked suspects were acquitted, and Pervez Musharraf was indicted but declared a fugitive before being separately sentenced in absentia on unrelated treason charges.
Credit: MiradaCC BY-SA 3.0SourceSOLVEDListenŞişli, Istanbul, Turkey · 2007
Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, editor of the newspaper Agos, was shot dead outside his office in Istanbul on 19 January 2007. Ogün Samast was convicted of the killing; Yasin Hayal and Erhan Tuncel were convicted for their roles in inciting and orchestrating the assassination, with dozens of others later tried over the broader plot.
