Welcome to Hotel Hamas: 150 dangerous terrorists released by Israel under Gaza peace deal are staying at five-star luxury resort alongside unsuspecting Western tourists
By Andrew Jehring and Natalie Lisbona
Daily Mail
Oct 24, 2025
The five-star Renaissance Cairo Mirage City Hotel where more than 150 Hamas terrorists are staying alongside unsuspecting Western tourists
Hamas terrorists released under the Gaza peace deal are staying in a five-star hotel alongside unsuspecting Western tourists.
Experts warned of a radical new threat to global security after the Daily Mail tracked down more than 150 of the highly dangerous extremists to a luxury hotel in Cairo.
Israel was forced to empty its prisons of nearly all its most feared jihadists held on life sentences as part of Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan.
Some 154 of the 250 fanatics who were freed are currently staying in the Marriott’s five-star Renaissance Cairo Mirage City Hotel in the Egyptian capital, a Daily Mail investigation has found.
Families can still book in to stay at the hotel without being aware of the dangers.
Undercover journalists booked into the resort and stayed amongst the murderous jihadists, who include a member of Isis and a senior Hamas special forces commander.
Today we publish shocking images showing these hardened killers and extremists living in the lap of luxury beside sunbathing Western tourists.
The Daily Mail understands that some may soon be moved on to live in nearby tourist destinations such as Qatar, Turkey and Tunisia which are hugely popular with British holidaymakers.
The Daily Mail understands that the convicted terrorists will apply for local visas and residence permits to be able to melt back into society, although they will be monitored by local security services.
Professor Anthony Glees, emeritus professor at the University of Buckingham, said: ‘These people are our sworn enemies. They will cut off the heads of British soldiers and kill left, right and centre.
‘We must not let them collect together. There can be no hiding place for these people. Otherwise you are setting up a terrorist army in exile – it will be Hezbollah 2.0.’
A former Israeli intelligence officer known as Guy C added: ‘There are no restrictions on their movements in these countries.
‘They can walk freely, travel to Europe – even the UK – receive donations from naive supporters, and gain backing from protestors who already sympathise with them.
‘The first thing these terrorists will do when they reach Turkey or Qatar is contact their associates in Gaza and the West Bank to send money and re-establish their networks. They will quickly regroup and form new terror cells.’
The release of 250 of the most dangerous terrorists serving life sentences was a key sticking point in the deal for Israel, which was strongly opposed to their release.
But it was ultimately deemed to be the only way to persuade Hamas to hand over the last 20 living Israeli hostages and secure a ceasefire as one of the first stages of Mr Trump’s peace plan.
Those staying at the resort include Mahmoud Issa, 57, who founded Special Unit 101 of the Izz a-Din al-Qassam Brigades, a Hamas special forces unit in Hamas which specialises in kidnap
Izz a-Din al-Hamamrah, 47, who recruited suicide bombers and planned hijackings is also staying at the luxury hotel
Samir Abu Nima, 64, who had had languished in prison for nearly 40 years for the 1983 Jerusalem bus bomb attacks, which killed six people including an 11-year-old child
After their release, there are now only 20 Palestinian extremists serving life sentences left in Israeli prisons.
Of the most serious terrorists freed by Israel earlier this month, 154 were considered too dangerous to remain in the West Bank or Gaza.
As a result they are now being held in Egypt at the Mirage City Hotel, which has its own spa, fitness centre, restaurants, outdoor pool and even a hair salon.
Those staying at the resort, where rooms start at £200 per night, include Mahmoud Issa, 57, who founded Special Unit 101 of the Izz a-Din al-Qassam Brigades, a Hamas special forces unit in Hamas which specialises in kidnap.
His incarceration was a particular cause of complaint for Hamas chief Yahya Sinwar who was upset that Issa was not freed alongside him in 2011. Sinwar launched the October 7 atrocity in part to take enough hostages to force Israel to free the likes of Issa, who had been in jail since 1993.
Others staying at the luxury hotel include Isis member Izz a-Din al-Hamamrah, 47, who recruited suicide bombers and planned hijackings; bus bomb mastermind Samir Abu Nima, 64; ambusher Muhammad Zawahra, 52; kidnapper Ismail Hamdan, 57; and murderer Yousuf Dawud, 39.
David Mencer, from the Prime Minister of Israel’s Office, said: ‘These men are terrorists, convicted of bombing buses, murdering students and kidnapping teenagers.
‘Israel freed them not to reward evil but because we value human life above all.
52-year-old Muhammad Zawahra, left, is staying at the luxury hotel in the Egyptian capital of Cairo
Kidnapper Ismail Hamdan, 57, is also among the more than 150 highly dangerous extremists staying at the resort
Yousuf Dawud, 39, is one of the terrorists deemed too dangerous to remain in the West Bank or Gaza
‘A bitter price, but one our people have paid across the ages to reclaim kin from the hands of Jew-haters.’
It is not known whether any of the hotel staff were aware of the infamy of the men staying with them.
The Marriott hotel group did not respond to requests for comment.
To stroll through the luxury poolside courtyard at Cairo’s Mirage City Hotel feels like a taste of paradise.
European tourists soak up autumn rays under the blissful North African sun, watching as children play in the crystal-clear waters. Beside them, the Sol Pool Bar beckons for afternoon beers, Egyptian wine and freshly prepared local mezze.
Less than an hour from the pyramids, and just a short drive from the bustling city centre, this would appear to be the perfect spot from which families can safely explore the wonders of Egypt’s ancient capital.
But look a little closer and you will discover that all is not quite as it seems these days at Mirage City, part of the Marriott’s upmarket Renaissance chain.
For brushing shoulders with the usual guests at this opulent five-star resort are 154 convicted terrorists who last week poured out of Israeli jails, part of the extraordinary price the Jewish State was forced to pay for the release of its hostages in Gaza, held largely by Hamas.
The Renaissance Cairo Mirage City Hotel is less than an hour from the pyramids, and just a short drive from the bustling city centre of the Egyptian capital
Among those enjoying the facilities of the five-star complex is kidnap specialist Issa, 57; Isis member al-Hamamrah, 47; bus bomb mastermind Abu Nima, 64; ambusher Zawahra, 52; kidnapper Hamdan, 57; and murderer Dawud, 39.
Together they have killed dozens of people, yet remarkably the hotel – which describes itself as ‘perfect for family moments that matter’ – is still accepting bookings from the public.
Should you stay here and walk around the idyllic grounds, as the Daily Mail did, you will find that hateful eyes follow every step you take.
None were more sinister than those of Issa, who sat menacingly sipping coffee on his poolside balcony, our movements never escaping his glare.
When the Daily Mail checked into the hotel, we found ourselves in a room just a few doors down from one of Israel’s most dangerous inmates, who founded Special Unit 101 of the Izz a-Din al-Qassam Brigades, a Hamas special forces unit specialising in kidnap.
At breakfast unwitting tourists were seated near al-Hamamrah, who recruited suicide bombers and planned hijackings.
The five-star complex has its own spa, fitness centre, restaurants, outdoor pool and even a hair salon
Just behind him, enjoying the extravagant buffet of fresh fruit, local pastries, unlimited coffee and a personal chef to cook you eggs any way you wish was Jihad al-Roum, 47.
He was part of a group of terrorists who befriended a Jewish teenager, lured him to the West Bank, and then stabbed and shot him to death in a murder that shocked Israel in 2002.
These extremists were celebrated at the luxury hotel. One of them, Akram Abu Bakr – responsible for dozens of shootings and bombings – even hosting his wedding in the grounds of the resort last Saturday.
Having been deemed too much of a threat to Israel to return to Gaza or the West Bank, instead the terrorists received a hero’s welcome from pro-Palestine groups in Cairo.
They spent much of their time posing for selfies with adoring local fans, who apparently have no problem with their record of killing and kidnap.
Many were seen withdrawing wads of cash from ATMs within the hotel as, after decades in prison, they are now rich. Thanks to the Palestinian Authority’s ‘Pay for Slay’ policy, under which people who commit terror attacks against Israelis receive up to £33,000 for every year they spend in jail, some have amassed six-figure fortunes, according to a report by Palestinian Media Watch.
It is not clear who has paid for their stay at the Mirage City Hotel. With rooms starting at £200 per night, the daily cost for all 154 of them will be upwards of £30,000.
Some say only Turkey or Qatar would have the means and the motivation to foot such a bill – but neither provided a comment in response to our requests.
Nor did the Marriott come back to us when we asked them for comment.
On the terrorists’ arrival huge crowds of friends, family and fans cheered as they entered the lobby before descending the spiral staircase to a function room beneath booked for the occasion.
Terrorist Mahmoud al-Arda, who killed an Israeli and masterminded the 2021 Gilboa Prison Break, was seen enjoying his first meal in a jubilant social media post that night.
Tucking into Middle East cheese, he said: ‘My first time with a spoon after four long years with local labneh from Arraba and thyme from the Arraba hills.’
When the Daily Mail arrived, muscled Egyptian secret police with pistols glistening under their jackets were seen patrolling outside and we understand they must grant permission for the freed prisoners to get trips out of the grounds.
But among those allowed to leave the hotel was Basem Khandakji, 41, who helped organise the 2004 Carmel Market bomb attack that killed three and injured over 50.
Despite personally driving a 16-year-old suicide bomber to the scene using his journalist ID to pass checkpoints, Khandakji is feted as a brave writer by pro-Palestine groups.
Last year he won the International Prize for Arab Fiction for his novel, ‘A Mask, The Colour Of The Sky’, and on a walk around Cairo he was invited to a book signing event at a local bookshop.
Pro-Palestine hangers-on were also seen clamouring for selfies at the hotel’s Sol Pool Bar with the notorious Jerusalem bus bomber Abu Nima.
He had languished in prison for nearly 40 years for the 1983 attacks, which killed six people including an 11-year-old child after he placed a charge near the rear of the vehicle.
While the terrorists’ ceremony was held in an indoor function room, an unconnected Christian couple had a separate wedding outside and, in a surreal moment, Abba’s Dancing Queen drifted across the courtyard where many of the Islamists were posing for pictures.
Come morning and they were reclining on sun loungers, fully clothed and glaring at Western tourists lying in bikinis by the pool just metres away from them.
While they have complained in interviews with friendly media outlets of being separated from their families in exile, the terrorists were seen passing their days with relatives who had flown to be with them.
Issa spent his time pacing the pool with women and young children, as well as sipping coffee with them on his balcony.
He was handed three life sentences and an additional 49 years in 1993 for multiple terror attacks including suicide bombings and the kidnapping and murder of Nissim Toldeano.
Considered one of the most dangerous prisoners in Israel, he was held in solitary confinement for more than 12 years after attempting to escape in 1996.
While Mossad – and the world’s other intelligence agencies – will undoubtedly keep a close eye on Issa, the sheer number of terrorists released is unparalleled.
It comes after scores of others were freed in previous ceasefires in November 2023 and January last year.
What steps are being taken to stop these men plotting together?
Throughout our time, all were constantly on the phone, or huddled together in hushed conversation trying to escape prying eyes.
In 2011 Israel felt that nearly 1,000 Palestinian prisoners for one soldier was a price worth paying, but the true cost was only felt when Sinwar launched Hamas’s barbaric attack on October 7, 2023.
This time Israel has gambled that by releasing only 96 of the worst prisoners back to the West Bank and Gaza, and deporting these 154 to Egypt, where they will be better protected.
But, as those hateful eyes at Mirage City are soon scattered across the world, you cannot help but question if the world will one day come to regret the price Israel was forced to pay for this peace.
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