Fauzi Ayub

A Lebanese-Canadian, Fauzi Mohammed Ayub (also "Fawzi") was a member of Hezbollah arrested in 2002 by the Israeli Defence Forces. Two years later he was released to his wife and children in Lebanon in a prisoner exchange that saw 436 Palestinians and Lebanese released in exchange for Elhanan Tannenbaum and the bodies of three Israeli soldiers abducted four years earlier.Bell, Stewart. National Post, " [http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=f8b05859-b49a-4756-b5c5-e5da6501bd9e Canadian authorities on lookout for terrorists] ", July 26 2006] United Jewish Communities, [http://www.jewishtoronto.net/page.aspx?id=55052 Israel-Hezbollah sw
] ]

Life

Ayub was allegedly involved in a fatal hijacking in Romania prior to his immigration to Canada. Four years after becoming a Canadian citizen, Ayub flew from Lebanon to Greece, and there obtained a forged American passport with which he sailed to Israel,Levitt, Dr. Matthew. [http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/html/pdf/Testimony/Testimony_20070620_Levitt.pdf Testimony at "Adding Hezbollah to the EU Terrorist List] , June 20 2007] where he headed for the West Bank.United Jewish Communities, [http://www.jewishtoronto.net/page.aspx?id=36114 Canadian seen as planner of Hebron attack] ] While there, he launched a failed attempt to free three prominent prisoners, Mustafa Dirani, Abdel Karim Obeid and Jihad Shuman, leaving twelve people dead.

Described as more of a military operation than a terrorist attack, Ayub feigned an attack against Jewish pilgrims leaving the Tomb of the Patriarchs to return to Kiryat Arb, killing three armed security guards. When Israeli forces rushed to the scene, they were caught in an ambush by Palestinian gunmen Ayub had trained, and nine Israeli paramilitary forces were killed including Col. Dror Weinberg, the highest-ranked Israeli killed in 26 months. Fifteen were wounded, and three of the attackers killed.Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, [http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Terrorism-+Obstacle+to+Peace/Memorial/2002/2/Col+Dror+Weinberg.htm Col. Dror Weinberg] , November 15 2002]

He was arrested on June 25 after Israeli forces stormed the police station where he was located, and Canada was informed of his arrest eight days later. He received three consular visits from Canada, and was tried in Tel Aviv district court by judge Zacharia Caspi.

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