Terror organization: Hamas

Status: Operative, leading the branch in Turkey

Role: Responsible for facilitating activities for the terror group. Yaghmour’s nefarious activities began in the early 90’s when he was implicated in the Hamas-coordinated abduction of IDF soldier Nahshon Waxman in 1994. Although he was sentenced to life in prison by an Israeli court in October 94, he was released from Israeli prison in 2011 at the “Shalit deal” (prisoner swap between Hamas and Israel), exiled to Turkey, and became the head of Hamas’ Turkey branch. He was in the closest circle to Salah al Aruri, was directly involved in Hamas’ clandestine operations, planning terror attacks in Judea and Samaria, involved in planning 2014 “boys kidnap” and was involved in money laundering and maintain strong connections with the Turkish intelligence agencies and the Turkish government.

He is involved in Hamas’ attempts to attack Israelis in Europe and the buildup of Hamas in Lebanon.

Most likely was involved in planning the attack on Israel on October 7th.

Location: Turkey;

Also Known As: Jihad Muhammad Shaker Yaghmour;

Activities:

Jihad Muhammad Shaker Yaghmour (Jihad Yaghmour) is Hamas’s official representative to Türkiye. He has organized and attended delegations with senior Hamas leaders, and is also involved in handling covert terrorist activities for the group. Jihad Yaghmour was sentenced to life in prison by Israel after being linked to the kidnapping of an Israeli soldier, but was exiled to Türkiye as a part of the Gilad Shalit deal in 2011, in which over 1,000 Hamas prisoners were released in exchange for captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. Jihad Yaghmour is involved in seemingly legitimate cultural activities in Türkiye, which serve as a cover for his activities in support of Hamas.