Where In The World Is Released Terrorist Abu Warda Supposed To Be--And Why Does It Matter? (Daled Amos) ~ Elder Of Ziyon

Monday, February 24, 2025

Where In The World Is Released Terrorist Abu Warda Supposed To Be--And Why Does It Matter? (Daled Amos)

By Daled Amos

Israel has announced that it is pausing the release of Palestinian Arab terrorists in exchange for Israeli hostages. Specifically, Israel will stop releasing the prisoners until Hamas stops staging “ceremonies that humiliate our hostages."

This follows the condemnation by the UN human rights chief, Volker Turk last week:

The parading of bodies in the manner seen this morning is abhorrent and cruel and flies in the face of international law.

But this past Thursday, when the remains of the Bibas babies were paraded around in coffins, another apparent violation by Hamas was mentioned in passing.

In the middle of an article describing Hamas's parade, the Wall Street Journal notes:

Amid the crowds were some Palestinians recently released by Israel in the cease-fire deal who, according to the terms of the agreement, were supposed to be exiled from Gaza. Those spotted in the crowds included Mohammed Abu Warda, who was sentenced for planning a 1996 bus bombing that killed more than 40 Israelis.

Haaretz describes Abu Warda in more detail:

Mohammad Abu Warda, who was sentenced to 48 life terms for his role in two terror bombings on Jerusalem's bus line 18 in 1996, which killed 45 people. In court, he declared, "The struggle of our people against you will never end. On the contrary, we will stand firm and determined until you leave our land." At the time, the military prosecutor described him as "a mass murderer standing before the court today."

While the Wall Street Journal believed he was supposed to be exiled from Gaza, when Abu Warda spoke with Al Araby, the interviewer told him very matter-of-factly, "Today, you are being sent to Khan Yunis"-- in Gaza.

But unlike either the Journal or Al Araby, Haaretz was not sure where Abu Warda was supposed to be deported to--and so reported that he was to be exiled to either Egypt or Gaza.

Abu Warda's appearance in Gaza was also confirmed on X. Abu Warda wasn't hiding. On the contrary, he gave an interview. According to the Times of Israel, he made it very clear that Hamas terror attacks would continue “until we reach liberation of [Jerusalem] and all our lands.”

Was Abu Warda exiled to Gaza? That would seem unlikely. According to Haaretz, he was sentenced to a total of 48 life terms, making Abu Warda "the prisoner with the most Israeli murder convictions among those being released." Israel is hardly likely to want such a prominent terrorist back in Gaza where he would serve as an inspiration to wannabe terrorists.

But if Israel's intent was for Abu Warda to be exiled to Egypt, why is he in Gaza? Is Hamas again violating the cease-fire?

According to the Times of Israel, Egypt--which was one of the countries involved in formulating the terms of the cease-fire--is not cooperating with its implementation:

According to the Kan broadcaster, Egypt refused to grant entry to Abu Warda and 19 other released security prisoners and has demanded that other prisoners it has already taken in be deported elsewhere before it will accept new prisoners.

Hamas claims initial agreements have been received from Algeria, Indonesia, Malaysia and Qatar to accept released Palestinian prisoners, but this has not yet been implemented, Kan reported.

Theoretically, this terrorist could end up in Gaza, Egypt, Algeria, Indonesia, Malaysia, or Qatar. But barring the implementation of a plan for Gaza that rids it of Hamas, Gaza does seem to be his most likely destination.

Where he can plan his next mass murder attack.