and security forces. He represented the Gaza electoral district of the Palestinian Legislative Council as a Hamas member after being elected with the most votes for any single candidate. In June 2007, he created the Executive Force, a paramilitary organization to rival Mohammed Dahlan's PSS. It played a key role in the takeover of Gaza and was praised by many Gazans for bringing order to Gaza, but accused of torture by others. Personal life He had six children: two boys and four girls. Death Said Seyam was killed on 15 January 2009 in an Israeli air raid on his brother's rented home in Jabalia. Also killed in the strike were his son, brother and two other Hamas officials: the interior ministry's security director Saleh Abu Sharkh and the local leader of the Hamas militia, Mahmoud Abu Watfah. Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri stated "Some of our leaders will fall, some of our people will fall, but the flag of resistance won't fall" in response to Seyam's death. Hamas members stated on Al-Aqsa TV that Seyam's "blood will be the fuel for the coming victory [against Israel]". References External links AFP Article Said Siam Obituary from The Guardian "Hamas leader denies disputes with Abbas on new cabinet formation", Xinhua, 12 March 2006. Analysis: Security kingpin held Gaza in iron grip Analysis of factional struggles between Fatah and Hamas in the wake of Hamas' takeover of Gaza in 2007 1959 births 2009 deaths Hamas members Members of the 2006 Palestinian Legislative Council Government ministers of the Gaza Strip Palestinian politicians Assassinated Palestinian politicians Assassinated Hamas members Deaths by Israeli airstrikes