Yahya Ayyash (22 February 1966-5 January 1996) was the chief bomb-maker of Hamas, and a major leader. He is celebrated as a hero by Palestinians, who named localities and streets after him, ever since his death in 1996.
Biography[]
Ayyash was born in Rafat in the West Bank, and as a child repaired televisions and other electronic appliances due to his engineering skills. After 1987, he served as a bomb-maker for the Hamas terrorist network, and his bombs carried out several deadly attacks against the state of Israel.
Death[]
After the death of Yitzhak Rabin, Prime Minister of Israel, Ayyash was made a target by Shin Bet security. His phone was fitted with a bomb, and Shin Bet tapped the conversation to make sure that it was Ayyash on the line. When it was confirmed, they detonated the bomb and blew Ayyash's head off.