Jihad Rom, Perpetrator of 2000 Ramallah Lynching, Set to be Released in Hostages-for-Terrorists Exchange
Israel declares Gaza ceasefire, clock ticks for 72-hour hostage release deadline.
As part of the hostages-for-terrorists exchange, Israel is set to release around 2000 Palestinian terrorists. One of them is reportedly Jihad A-Karim Azziz Rom, the perpetrator of the horrific 2000 Ramallah lynching. He is also involved in the 2001 kidnapping, torture, and murder of an 18-year-old Israeli boy.
The Ramallah Lynching took place on October 12, 2000, when two Israeli reservists took a wrong turn on the way to their army base and drove into a Palestinian-controlled area. First Corporal Yosef Avrahami and First Sargent Vadim Norzhich, both aged 33, mistakenly entered the Palestinian city of Ramallah and were immediately arrested by the local policemen. The two men were dragged to the Ramallah police headquarters, where they were brutally beaten and killed by a frenzied mob amid the chants of “Allahu Akbar.”
Eight months later, Jihad Rom and his fellow terrorists struck again, kidnapping and murdering Israeli teenager, Yuri Gushchin. The boy’s “Palestinian acquaintances in downtown Jerusalem” had “convinced him to accompany them to Ramallah on the pretext of hiring him to renovate an apartment there,” an official Israeli report said. Yuri’s “body with multiple stab and gunshot wounds near the slaughterhouse,” outside Ramallah, the report added.
The Jerusalem Post reported the possible release of the convicted terrorist:
Jihad A-Karim Azziz Rom, a terrorist who participated in the lynching of IDF reservists Vadim Norzitch and Yosef Avrahami in 2000 and the abduction and murder of Yuri Gushchin in 2001, is set to be released as part of the Gaza peace deal, Maariv reported early on Friday morning after the Israeli government approved the deal.
Rom, who was 26 at the time of the lynching, was sentenced to life for Guschin’s murder plus an additional 20 years for his role in the killing of the two reservists.
The Ramallah lynching became a key moment in Palestinian terrorism, after Italian film crews recorded Arab terrorists lifting their blood-soaked hands in celebration of the attack at Ramallah police station. The two reservists had mistakenly driven into Ramallah, where they were detained by Palestinian Authority police officers, and taken to the local police station in Ramallah’s twin city, el-Bireh, where a thousand Palestinians rallied for their deaths. The crowd eventually overwhelmed the officers, took over the station, and beat and stabbed Norzitch and Avrahami to death.
🔴We eliminated terrorist Aziz Salha, who took part in the Ramallah lynching in Oct. 2000, in the area of Deir El Balah in central Gaza.
Salha took part in the brutal lynching of Sergeant First Class (Res.) Yosef Avrahami and Corporal (Res.) Vadim Norzhich in Ramallah in 2000.… pic.twitter.com/NHWw8pF2IO
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 3, 2024
Aziz Salha, the Palestinian terrorist who rose to infamy for waving his blood-stained hands after the Ramallah lynching, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza in October 2024. Salha, also serving a life sentence for his murderous crime, was freed in exchange for the kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. Despite his release, Salha “remained involved in Hamas terrorist activities,” the Israeli military disclosed in a statement at that time.
Israel declares Gaza ceasefire, clock ticks for 72-hour hostage release deadline
Israel on Friday announced a ceasefire in Gaza at noon local time (5 a.m. Eastern time), paving the way for the release of the hostage within the 72-hour deadline set by the peace plan brokered by President Donald Trump.
“With the agreement to return the hostages and end the war in Gaza approved, IDF forces Friday have withdrawn to the agreed lines, it announced at noon,” Israel’s Ynetnews reported. “The IDF completed the dismantling of outposts and static defensive positions in the Gaza Strip and completed the withdrawal at noon — in order to start counting, from midnight, the 72 hours Hamas has under the agreement to return the hostages, Monday at noon.”
🎥WATCH: Southern Command troops in the midst of adjusting operational positions in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/P0ruvWTmQ9
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 10, 2025
The Israeli military announced the ceasefire in a press release, saying: “Since 12:00, IDF troops began positioning themselves along the updated deployment lines in preparation for the ceasefire agreement and the return of hostages.” The IDF warned Hamas that “troops in the Southern Command are deployed in the area and will continue to remove any immediate threat.”
CENTCOM has confirmed that the Israeli Defense Forces completed the first phase withdrawal to the yellow line at 12PM local time. The 72 hour period to release the hostages has begun.
— Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (@SEPeaceMissions) October 10, 2025
The military completed the withdrawal to the agreed-upon lines. “Overnight, the Technology and Logistics Directorate personnel of the Southern Command conducted a large-scale logistics operation in which troops were moved to predesignated lines and positions,” the military disclosed in a separate statement. “Technology and maintenance personnel are restoring the readiness of vehicles and technological systems and are establishing the necessary infrastructure to reinforce and maintain the defense line.”
🚛A large-scale logistical operation was carried out by the Technology and Logistics Directorate of the Southern Command to adjust the deployment of IDF troops in Gaza.
Troops were moved to predesignated lines and positions, with full logistical, medical, and maintenance support… pic.twitter.com/fGYMWkV0uK
— LTC Nadav Shoshani (@LTC_Shoshani) October 10, 2025
With today’s withdrawal, the IDF will remain in control of over half of the Gaza territory, The Times of Israel reported:
Following the withdrawal, the IDF remains in control of just over half of the Strip’s territory, or 53 percent — most of which is outside of urban areas.
This includes a buffer zone along the entire Gaza border, including the Philadelphi Corridor — the Egypt-Gaza border area — along with Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahiya in the Strip’s far north, a ridge on the eastern outskirts of Gaza City, and large portions of Rafah and Khan Younis in southern Gaza.
🚨The IDF published the new deployment map of its forces in Gaza. As you can see, the IDF still controls most of the Gaza Strip, and Hams must release all hostages. Win! pic.twitter.com/IQOjW9TiVh
— Raylan Givens (@JewishWarrior13) October 10, 2025
Ahead of the ceasefire, the IDF Chief of the General Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, conducted a field tour of the Gaza frontline. Addressing the troops, he observed the central role they played in forcing Hamas to agree to the hostage release.
“Thanks to significant military pressure and a powerful and high-quality ground operation, you, the troops, created the conditions for the return of the hostages home – our military activity produced a political achievement; that achievement is first and foremost yours,” the IDF Chief of the General Staff said on Thursday. “Today I remember and see before me our fallen, the bereaved families, and the individuals harmed physically or emotionally – this would not have happened without them.”
Given the deceitful nature of Hamas, the military remains on a ‘high level of readiness’ despite the agreement. “Our work is not yet finished; we will not rest until we see our last hostage returned, the fallen given burial, and we ensure the security of the State of Israel,” Lt. Gen. Zamir added.
Overnight and this morning, the IDF began to pull back troops in the Gaza Strip to agreed-upon deployment lines as part of the deal with Hamas to secure the release of all the hostages held by the terror group.
Some forces were completely withdrawn from Gaza, while others will… pic.twitter.com/4SYthgoIrz
— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) October 10, 2025
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Comments
You get more of what you reward. You’re just going to get more hostage taking with these kinds of swaps.
And this is why trading prisoners for hostages is a bad deal. This piece of excrement will immediately become involved in hamas operations and lead to more deaths. This is how you lose the war you won.
Easy to say, but unfortunately Israel always does things like this when it comes to hostages. Hence the reason Hamas took them in the first place. When you are exchanging 20 living hostages for 2000 prisoners, you are creating a perverse incentive for the future. Short of having a hard line stance for not negotiating on hostages (politically no possible in Israel) just stop taking prisoners. Kill Hamas every chance they get.
Hamas delenda est.
“You’re all free to go. Don’t forget to carry your new free pagers so that your friends and loved ones will be able to reach you once you’re out of our custody.”
Or just GPS tag them and send in guided bombs after they’ve started celebrating with their Hamas buddies.
Inject them with a gps
“”Inject them with a gps””
Anally.
If he is really smart, as soon as he is released and reaches Hamas-controlled Gaza, he would turn himself in to Israeli forces and volunteer to go back to prison. If he doesn’t, Israel will track him, and, at the first opportunity, will smoke him. It’s happened to other released terrorists, it will happen to him. That’s the way Israel rolls. I approve.
That didn’t happen to Sinwar. He lived long enough to command Hamas in Gaza and plan Oct 7.
Israel never forgets. His family should buy life insurance.
Lesson learned: When Hamas breaks this deal, break Hamas. Individuals like this should be killed, not captured.
Hudna
Release him and the 100 worst offenders in the EXACT SAME CONDITION as the worst of the hostages. Starved, missing legs, VERY DECEASED.
An eye for an eye
Maybe Israel should seriously think about imposing the death penalty on convicted terrorists, especially those with murder records. Locking them up just creates an incentive for their enemies to capture civilians to swap for those imprisoned by Israel. This keeps happening.
would b a da*n shame if he were to
contract a high committable disease
while he was incarcerated and like a rat when he returns to the nest he
infects others ..;.not necessarily fatal one that incapacitates… and incurable painful…
just a thought
Netanyahu spent TWO YEARS being the asshole who invented a third option between victory and defeat, utterly annhialated Israel on the world stage in adopting a 0% chance of success strategy of a friendly pixie army will come out of nowhere to get rid of Hamas if we launch enough raids and airstrikes, then when Trump cared about Israel enough to force Netanyahu to pick victory or defeat Netanyahu picked defeat with the silver lining of getting the 20 hostages back.
If he had done that two years ago Israel it would be one thing but Netanyahu has clearly weakened Israel to a point where if you imagine Americans hated communist around 100 times more than we did in the cold war that is how much Israel is hated among Gen Z. That hatred also won’t go away because Netanyahu hammered it in by making Israel the issue for two years.
If he was president of the United States I would absolutely support impeaching Netanyahu.
He was a good peacetime prime minister but I do not think there are any world leaders worst at being a war leader. You don’t fight a two year war with the strategy being deus ex machina.
War is justified by victory. If you aren’t seeking victory you have no business fighting or ordering others to fight.
When Erdogan panicked over October 7th and would have been open to hostages in return for Hamas survival that was when this deal should have happened because Netanyahu very clearly fears occupying Gaza more than Hamas surviving.
He tore the western world apart for his own ego.
Glad there are so many like yourself that know better.
Oh Danny boy
The white coats are looking for you
It would be a real tragedy of something happened to him after he was released, nudge, nudge, wink, wink
I didn’t think Netanyahu was this stupid. Nor Trump for that matter. But obviously I was incorrect in that assumption. They are both stupid and fools for trading terrorist prisoners for hostages. So the “regroup” part is going to plan. And once all these terrorists are released back to Hamas they will rearm them and come up with some plan, any plan whatsoever, for the resumption of violence against Israel and Israeli citizens. Regroup, rearm, and resume the violence. When that happens, and it will, I will have little sympathy for Israel.
Rgroup. Rearm. Resume. The three Rs for Hamas. The Regroup part is going well with the infusion of 2,000 terrorists released from Israeli prisons. They will be quickly Rearmed and then can Resume the violence against Israel and Israeli citizens. It’s what Hamas does every time they fine themselves in a sticky situation. And the cycle of violence continues.
If Israeli leadership hasn’t learned the lesson that you cannot negotiate with terrorists by now I don’t know what to say or think.
Prove me wrong.
EoT
Perhaps better to prove you are right. Hamas apparently has lost the support from its funders. Prove how it will function as before without such support.
Nope. Prove me wrong. Hamas will just Regroup, Rearm, and Resume the violence against Israel and Israeli citizens at the soonest time possible. And the next time around will make Oct. 7th look like a walk in the park as it will be all or nothing for them. Do or die. And they’ll choose death and take as many Jews with them as possible. But at least Trump will get his Nobel Peace Prize, right?
Prove me wrong.
You are the one making the claims. Prove it! Repeating your fears proves nothing.
And to imply it’s only because Trump wanted the prize is ridiculous.
Hamas attempts raid on army post in Gaza City outskirts; IDF says 3 gunmen killed
Hamas operatives tried to raid an Israel Defense Forces position on the southern outskirts of Gaza City on Wednesday, the military said, the latest in a series of recent attempts by the group to attack army sites in the Strip.
Still attempting raids into Israel despite the claiming to agree to Trump’s Bigly Perfect Peace Plan. Not the actions of an organization that wants peace now, is it.
They will. just Regroup, Rearm, And Resume as soon as they perceive they are ready to do so.
Prove me wrong.
Hamas takes responsibility for failed attack on IDF in south Gaza, hoped to kidnap soldier
Even as Hamas claims to want peace and will return the hostages they attempted to take yet more hostages. Not the actions of an organization that claims to accept Trump’s Bigly Perfect Peace Plan now is it.
They will simply Regroup, Rearm, and Resume their terroristic violence at the moment they perceive they are strong enough to do so.
But at least Trump[ will get his Nobel Peace Prize, right?
Yeah. This is only about the Nobel Prize. Ridiculous!
Not to mention, the examples you provided apparently all occurred BEFORE the ceasefire took effect on Friday.
Consider yourself proven wrong!
Iran doesn’t support the destruction of Israel via proxy anymore? Hamas today, some other organization tomorrow. It will be the same fight even when Israel’s enemies take different names.
Iran is badly damaged. As a consequence of October 7. True, there will always be adversaries, but Israel’s ability to fend has been well established. And it will likely be pro-active going forward with preparations. Which does not even take into account that most Arab states are tired of conflict and ready to accept Israel and what it offers. There are no guarantees. But something needed to change, and so long as there is possibility, then it’s worth the effort.
Of course, you are correct. The solution was to support Israel’s destruction of Hamas and the removal of the Palestinians from Gaza, without regard for the “world’s” opinion. Long-term survival and security is far more valuable than short-term approval of people who otherwise hate you.
It is important to close the hostage chapter to move forward without that hanging over the matter. It frees Israel to act on any violations. And it would not be a surprise to learn about untimely accidents for many of these released. The loud criticism from people so far removed from the matter, but acting like they know best, is unrealistic and serves little practical purpose. Was it better to let this drag on and on, or to allow opportunity for something good. As we have seen, the reach of Israel is far and wide and the released should probably not feel too comfortable.
The only possible advantage gained by this “deal” (aside from 20 living (I hope) hostages returned) is that “world leaders” will be very slightly embarrassed when Hamas starts murdering again.
I don’t believe any of them are so ignorant to not know that Hamas will violate the deal as certainly as the sun rises every day. They will proclaim their “shock and dismay,” but, in fact, they will not be shocked and many of them won’t be dismayed either.
That photo of the Arab invader from Arabia and terrorist, gleefully showing off his bloodstained, murderous hands to the mob of his co-religionists, is the evil face of “Palestinians’ ” genocidal Islamofascism and Muslim supremacism.
I keep on hearing Muslims and non-Muslim, useful idiot, leftist dhimmis and Dhimmi-crats tell us how Israeli Jews — whose forebears were living in a kingdom of Israel, and, later, the Roman provinces of Judaea and Palaestina, millennia before Islam’s founding — should “go back to where they came from.”
If anyone should go back to where they came from, it’s the Arab invaders from Arabia in Gaza and the West Bank, who’ve co-opted the Roman name, “Palaestina,” in a brazen attempt at historical revisionism and claiming historical legitimacy.