> on november 24, 1993, the 22-year-old masked fighter emad akel was killed by iof forces in gaza's shuja'iyya neighbourhood after an armed standoff that lasted hours. > emad akel was an academic since a young age and primarily interested in geography throughout his elementary school years. he served as an assistant to his teacher through preparatory school.  > he joined hamas at an early age after witnessing the killings and arrests of his relatives by israeli forces. in 1988, he was arrested together with his brother for their memberships.  > emad turned to armed struggle immediately following his release. according to his brother adel, emad said:  > "the israelis are after me and they will go on following me until i fight back and then i will die at their hands and, for this reason, i will go to paradise."  > he was a founding member of the izzedeen al-qassam brigades, and a mentor for mohammad deif, the brigades' current shadowy commander.
Philippines