Nizar Rayan (Arabic: نزار ريان, Nɩzár Rɑȋán, also transliterated Rayyan; 6 March 1959 – 1 January 2009) was a high-ranking Hamas leader who served as a liaison between the Palestinian organization's political leadership and its military wing.

[1][2] In 1982, he received a BSc degree in Theology and Religious studies from Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

[12] According to Chris Hedges who interviewed him, Rayan constantly said that Hamas, "began to target Israeli civilians in 1994 only after Palestinian worshipers were gunned down in a Hebron mosque by a Jewish settler, Baruch Goldstein.

"[5] According to a Hamas spokesperson, it is possible the Fatah-dominated Palestinian National Authority asked Israel to kill Rayan due to his role in the Hamas-Fatah clashes.

Following the speech, Fatah members expressed great fear that Hamas would transform Gaza into a Taliban-style Islamist emirate with Iranian and Syrian military support.

[24][25] During the Gaza war, most of the Hamas political leadership went underground, however despite not being part of the Qassam brigades wing Nizar involved himself militarily in the conflict.

[27] The day before the attack, Rayan had advocated renewal of suicide bombings on Israel, declaring, "Our only language with the Jews is through armed resistance and Jihad".

"[33] Israeli security sources stated that Rayan's house, at the time of the attack, was a munitions warehouse and communications center,[5] and contained a tunnel opening.

[8][29] The New York Daily News commented that Rayan had "sacrificed his children - in a vain attempt to protect a weapons base beneath his home.

"[8] Israeli security forces legal officials regard striking homes used for weapons storage, when sufficient warning is given to the residents, as falling within the boundaries of international law and a legitimate act of war.

[36] IDF stated its surveillance showed people leaving the house, but Amnesty noted Israel had failed to provide any evidence to substantiate that claim.