The Israeli army and Shin Bet announced that an airstrike in southern Gaza on Wednesday resulted in the assassination of a senior leader in the internal security of Hamas. A spokesperson for the Israeli army and the Shin Bet stated in a joint announcement that security forces killed Akram Abdul Rahman Hussein Salama, describing him as a "prominent leader in the internal security agency affiliated with Hamas." The spokesperson added that Salama held several key positions in Hamas, including head of the Khan Younis area, and was responsible for planning attacks in Israel.
Who is Akram Salama?
Israeli army spokesperson Avichai Adrei said he was one of the officials in Hamas's internal apparatus. He noted that Salama held several high-ranking positions in the movement, including Deputy Governor of Khan Younis. The 51-year-old Akram Salama is a former Palestinian prisoner who was released as part of the Gilad Shalit deal in 2011. He spent 22 years in Israeli prisons out of a 30-year sentence.
Salama holds a nursing degree and is nicknamed "The Caregiver of the Prisoners," having been responsible for the health of prisoners in Ramla prison. He is also the brother of Hassan Salama, a leader in the armed wing of Hamas, who is serving 48 life sentences after Israel refused to release him in the 2011 prisoner exchange deal. Media close to Hamas confirmed the death of Akram Salama but did not mention the position he held in the movement.
