Name: Abd’Allah Yousef El-Deek

Nickname: Abu El-Qassam

Birth date: 1974

Martyrdom date: 12 January 2005

Hometown: Kufr El-Deek

Residence: Kufr El-Deek

Abd’Allah Yousef El-Deek was an athletic man in his early 30’s, married and had 2 children (Qassam and Biesan). Earlier in his life, Abu El-Qassam was the Muezzin (caller for prayer) in the new village mosque in Kufr El-Deek, a village of about 5000 inhabitants in the northern West Bank. He had a natural talent in communicating with people with opposing views. He was a bridge-gabber and a unifying influence gathering people around the call for resistance. For more than 2 years, Abu El-Qassam overcame the most difficult circumstances facing Palestinian resistance in the West Bank, and continued along the path of jihad.

Eighteen Days:

On 19 September 1993 and barely 19 years of age, Abd’Allah El-Deek was detained by occupation forces in El-Far’a detention center for his alleged role in Intifada activities and Hamas membership. The interrogators confronted him with confessions from 4 other prisoners about his activism. Yet Abd’Allah decided not to confess. The charges were participating in attacks against occupation forces. The interrogators promised to put him away in jail for more than 20 years. He had other designs and embarked on the most difficult 18 days of his life, the battle of willpower and belief in the cause of Allah.

In between interrogation sessions of severe beatings, Abd’Allah was tied to a tiny chair in a windowless concrete cell of 1 sq. meter. He was beaten on the head, bound in painful positions for hours and electrocuted. Even the prison doctor took part in the beatings and suffocation whenever Abd’Allah was transferred to him after collapsing from torture.

After 18 days of systematic barbarism and torture, Abd’Allah was transferred to Majeddo prison, where he spent just over 17 months. After a number of court sessions, the occupation forces released Abd’Allah without being charged or sentenced.

Abd’Allah won the battle of wills against the occupation.

Prophet Yousef (peace of Allah be upon him) University:

The time Abd’Allah spent in Majiddo prison was a very important stop in his life. He memorized many parts of the Holy Quran and participated in numerous educational and religious activities. In addition, he developed his military skills through interacting with other Intifada activists, who educated and trained him in various resistance skills.

The occupiers brought Abd’Allah to prison to break him and drain his will to resist. But they ended up helping him take major steps on the road to armed resistance. As usual, their crimes backfired against them.

Electricity!

After his release in 1994, Abd’Allah took three advanced and specialized courses in electrical works. In each course, he displayed his intelligence and practical mentality by finishing first in ranking. For the remainder of the 1990’s Abd’Allah was in charge of the electricity network in the village. In his public service or private work in homes, Abd’Allah was known for his honesty and integrity. He never took advantage of anyone; and he didn’t let anyone take advantage of him.

His expertise in the electricity would be invaluable in his resistance activities, especially preparing explosive devices detonated remotely.

Personality:

Abd’Allah’s brother, who accompanied him throughout his life, including prison, describes his brother, “The most striking characteristic of Abd’Allah was his perseverance in observing his religious duties, especially prayers in the mosque. In all his actions, including jihad, he put the Allah’s acceptance first. He was a strong man; but at the same time he was compassionate and forgiving. He had a natural ability to form relationships; and he was a man of dialogue with others. He had strong relationships with members of other factions.

He used his strong communication skills to propagate his ideology motivate towards resistance in a special way. He always said, ‘invite to the way of your Creator with wisdom and kind advice.’ He persuaded many young men to observe prayers and fasting. And he was very distinguished in the lectures he gave to youth in the local mosque. For some time, he was the Muezzin in the mosque. His voice was beautiful and loud. It captivated those who heard him.”

Special Operations:

In 2002, Abd’Allah’s involvement in armed resistance was exposed. He successfully carried out a number of sophisticated operations against settlers, especially on the settlers’ road near Ariel settlement. Utilizing different tactics, Abd’Allah carried out these operations and always managed to stay ahead of the security arrangements made by the settlers and the occupation army.

As a result, the occupation army decided to kill Abd’Allah. But they failed repeatedly. And Abd’Allah’s family paid a heavy price as a result of house raids and beatings whenever occupation forces came to the house to search for him.

But Abd’Allah eluded his pursuers and continued to carry out operations for 2 years.

Martyrdom:

On 12 January 2005, occupation forces surrounded the house in which Abd’Allah and Wafi El-Shueibi were staying. Both dressed in full military attire and went down stairs near the door of the house. Occupation forces shelled the upper story where the two martyrs were staying. Then, they moved into the house. They were surprised by the two martyrs attacking them with guns and grenades. A few soldiers were injured; and the shelling commenced on the first floor. The two martyrs were blown to pieces.

Abd’Allah left behind him his wife and two children. He always prayed to Allah to preserve him after his martyrdom.