2004 Israel assassinated Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, co-founder of Hamas in Gaza City. Yassin’s successor, Abdel Aziz al-Rantissi, was killed in similar missile strike a month later. Arafat died on 11 November. Mahmoud Abbas succeeded him as PLO chairman and won election as president on platform of halting violence and making peace with Israel.
Pictured, Palestinian refugees in Lebanon hold posters of Sheikh Yassin
Photograph: Ali Hashisho/Reuters
The Guardian
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