Ali Hassan Salameh, Palestinian rebel leader (b. 1940)

Ali Hassan Salameh (Arabic: علي حسن سلامة, ʿAlī Ḥasan Salāmah), born on April 1, 1941, and assassinated on January 22, 1979, was a prominent and highly controversial Palestinian figure, widely recognized as a terrorist. He gained notoriety as the chief of operations, code-named Abu Hassan, for Black September, a clandestine offshoot of Fatah and a key organization responsible for some of the most audacious terror attacks of the 1970s, including the infamous 1972 Munich massacre. Salameh was also instrumental in establishing Force 17, an elite security and special operations unit within Fatah. His life came to an end in January 1979 in Beirut, Lebanon, when he was targeted and killed by Israel's intelligence agency, Mossad, as part of Operation Wrath of God.

The Rise of a Notorious Figure: Ali Hassan Salameh's Background

Born into a prominent Palestinian family in Qula, near Jaffa (then part of British Mandate Palestine), Ali Hassan Salameh was the son of Hassan Salameh, a leading figure in the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. This lineage provided him with significant connections and a foundation for his eventual rise within Palestinian nationalist movements. Educated partly in Germany, Salameh quickly became a trusted aide to Yasser Arafat, the chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), and gained a reputation for his charisma, ruthlessness, and operational prowess, earning him the moniker "The Red Prince" or "Prince of Terror."

Black September: Architect of the Munich Massacre

As the chief of operations for Black September, Ali Hassan Salameh orchestrated a series of devastating international terror attacks. The organization, which emerged around 1970, was a militant faction often linked to Fatah, though officially disavowed by the PLO, allowing it to undertake actions deemed too extreme for the mainstream leadership. Its most infamous act, the 1972 Munich Olympic massacre, resulted in the deaths of eleven Israeli Olympic team members (nine hostages and two initial victims), a West German police officer, and five Palestinian terrorists. This brutal incident shocked the world and became a pivotal moment in the history of international terrorism, underscoring Black September's reach and its willingness to target high-profile international events to achieve political aims. Beyond Munich, Black September was responsible for numerous other kidnappings, hijackings, and assassinations targeting Israeli interests and their allies across Europe and the Middle East.

Founding and Evolution of Force 17

In addition to his role in Black September, Salameh was the founder of Force 17. Initially established in the early 1970s as Yasser Arafat's personal security detail, this elite unit quickly evolved into a sophisticated special operations force within Fatah. Force 17 was tasked with protecting senior PLO officials, conducting counter-intelligence, and carrying out sensitive missions. Under Salameh's leadership, it became a highly disciplined and feared entity, playing a crucial role in the PLO's clandestine activities and security operations.

Operation Wrath of God: The Hunt for Justice

Ali Hassan Salameh was a primary target of Operation Wrath of God (Hebrew: מבצע זעם האל, Mivtza Za’am Ha’El), a covert operation initiated by Israel's Mossad in retaliation for the Munich massacre. Following years of relentless pursuit across Europe and the Middle East, Salameh was finally tracked down in Beirut, Lebanon. On January 22, 1979, he was assassinated by a car bomb detonated by Mossad agents. The sophisticated attack not only killed Salameh but also resulted in the deaths of four of his bodyguards and four innocent bystanders, along with injuries to at least 18 others, highlighting the tragic collateral damage often associated with such covert operations. His elimination marked a significant milestone in Israel's long-standing efforts to bring to justice those responsible for the Munich tragedy.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ali Hassan Salameh

Who was Ali Hassan Salameh?
Ali Hassan Salameh was a leading Palestinian militant and terrorist, known as the chief of operations for Black September and the founder of Force 17. He was a key figure in numerous international terror attacks, most notably the 1972 Munich Olympic massacre.
What was Black September?
Black September was a clandestine and radical Palestinian militant organization, an offshoot of Fatah, responsible for high-profile terrorist attacks in the 1970s, including the 1972 Munich massacre.
What was the Munich massacre?
The Munich massacre was a terrorist attack that took place during the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany. Black September operatives took eleven members of the Israeli Olympic team hostage, ultimately leading to the deaths of all eleven Israelis, a West German police officer, and five Palestinian terrorists.
What was Force 17?
Force 17 was an elite security and special operations unit within Fatah, founded by Ali Hassan Salameh. It initially served as Yasser Arafat's personal security detail but evolved into a sophisticated force for conducting sensitive missions and intelligence operations.
How was Ali Hassan Salameh assassinated?
Ali Hassan Salameh was assassinated by Israel's Mossad on January 22, 1979, in Beirut, Lebanon, using a car bomb. This operation was part of "Operation Wrath of God," a targeted campaign to eliminate those responsible for the 1972 Munich massacre.