Yesterday evening, Sheikh Hafez Salama, the leader of the popular resistance in Suez during the Israeli occupation, died at the age of 96, after being infected with the Coronavirus on April 13th.
The state-owned Al-Ahram newspaper reported that Sheikh Salama died in a hospital in Cairo after his health deteriorated, and added that the funeral will take place on Tuesday from the Great Mosque in Al-Salam city in Suez.
The sheikh was suffering from irregular heartbeat and low oxygen level in the blood, and he was transferred to Imbaba Hospital, then Ain Shams Specialized Hospital, and finally he settled in Al-Demerdash Hospital next to the Al-Nour Mosque at his request.
Who is Hafiz Salameh?
Salameh was born in Suez on December 6, 1925, and had a prominent social, political and militant role that was memorable in the history of Egypt, according to Al-Ahram.
The newspaper pointed out that Salameh contributed to supporting the resistance and participating in guerrilla operations and the general mobilization of guerrillas.
Among Salama's most prominent roles - according to the state-owned Akhbar Al-Youm newspaper - was his role in leading the popular resistance in Egypt, especially in not surrendering the city of Suez in the October 1973 War, and the city’s resistance to the siege.
According to local newspaper reports, Salameh, who worked as a preacher at Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, led the task of organizing the popular armed struggle against the Israeli occupation in the War of Attrition (July 1967 - August 1970).
Egypt celebrates annually the anniversary of its victory over Israel in the October 1973 war, which it waged to liberate its occupied land.