Fathi Shaqaqi, a prominent leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), was assassinated on a fateful day in 1995 by agents of Israel's intelligence service, Mossad. The assassination took place in a hotel in Malta, where Shaqaqi was staying during a trip. His organization had been responsible for a number of attacks against Israeli targets, positioning him as a significant figure in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant groups. The operation was marked by precision, as Shaqaqi was approached by the agents, who opened fire in a seemingly calculated attack that left him dead in his hotel room.

The operation was seen as a continuation of Israel's policy of targeted killings aimed at reducing the threat of terrorism against its citizens. Mossad agent involvement in such operations has historically been a controversial aspect of Israel's military and intelligence strategy. Following the assassination, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad threatened reprisal attacks, underscoring the cycle of violence and retribution that characterized the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during this period.

The assassination also raised concerns among various global actors regarding state-sponsored violence and its implications for international law. It signified not only a tactical maneuver by Israel to disrupt militant activities but also revealed the complexities and moral dilemmas associated with extrajudicial killings in conflict zones. As the region faced increased tensions, Shaqaqi’s death became a symbol of the broader clash between Israeli operations and Palestinian resistance movements.