Name: Yaser Sa’id Mohammad Riziq

Nickname: Abu Mahmoud

Birth date: 1973

Martyrdom date: 24 June 2002

Hometown: Al-Faluja

Residence: Shaboura refugee camp

On the morning of 9 January 2002, the occupation forces were on a date with a devastating blow from the Ezzedeen Al-Qassam mujahideen in Rafah. The site was Kerem Shalom and the tally was 5 dead occupation soldiers, including an officer, and scores injured. Two mujahideen were martyred during the operation.

Who was the man behind the operation? And who laid the sophisticated plan that caught the “highly-trained” and “heavily armored” occupation forces by surprise? The man behind this great victory was Abu Mahmoud, Yaser Riziq.

Childhood & Education:

Sa’id Mohammad Riziq was a man blessed with a large family. He had 13 children, 11 boys and 2 girls. And despite the large number of children, Sa’id and his wife succeeded in raising their children well. Their children were an example of respect for their parents, love for Palestine, and the remembrance of Al-Faluja, the village destroyed by Zionists in 1948.

Yaser was the fifth oldest of Sa’id’s children.

From his early childhood, Yaser found his peace in Al-Farouq mosque in the refugee camp. There, he was raised on the morals and rich history of Islam. Among his peers, Yaser was known for his quiet demeanor, love for his brothers, and jealousy for Islam. He was a very compassionate person. In addition to the mosque, Yaser finished his school education in UNRWA schools in the refugee camp.

Hamas Member:

During the first intifada, Yaser joined the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and was an active member in the squads working against traitors. In addition, he was active in demonstrations and confrontations against occupation forces. He was injured more than 20 times during these clashes.

In 1989, he was arrested and detained by occupation forces for 18 months for his role in Hamas activities. In prison, he was charged with safeguarding the Hamas security archive in the detention center.

Imprisonment only strengthened Yaser’s resolve to continue along the path of resistance against the occupation.

Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades and Al-Aqsa Intifada:

In 1992, Yaser joined the ranks of Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades. He proved a capable member and leader. And he was arrested for 6 month by the Palestinian Authority in 1996 for his resistance activities.

After the outbreak of Al-Aqsa Intifada, Yaser resumed his leadership role in Ezzedeen Al-Qassam Brigades. He recruited and established a strong network of cells. In addition, he oversaw the production of mortars and Qassam-1 rockets. In the intifada, he carried out 78 shelling attacks against occupation military outposts and settlements; the last one was on the eve of his martyrdom.

But Yaser’s legacy will be in the Kerem Shalom attack, which resulted in the death of 5 soldiers and the injury of scores more. With Yaser’s planning and under his leadership, two mujahideen infiltrated into Kerem Shalom and managed to inflict a heavy blow against occupation forces.

Martyrdom:

Five months after the famous Kerem Shalom operation, Yaser was injured as he prepared an explosive device to be used against another occupation military outpost. He suffered serious wounds to his hand and was forced to receive medical treatment and follow up in the hospital. On 24 June 2002, Yaser and 5 companions were on their way to the hospital for a checkup on his hand. Two Apache helicopters fired rockets at their car and the 6 mujahideen were martyred.