Following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Iran, Khaled Meshaal, a number with a long history in the Palestinian militant group Hamas, is thought to be in charge. Has Meshaal been a well-known president within Hamas for years, helping the organization navigate times of intense fight and diplomatic difficulties. He survived an Israeli execution try in 1997.
In 1997, Meshaal became globally known when Jewish agents, under the orders of then-Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, attempted to assassinate him by injecting poison into his ears on the streets of Amman, Jordan. King Hussein of Jordan threatened to void the peace agreement with Israel unless an alternative was provided as a result of the botched activity. Israel complied, and the event not only saved Meshaal’s living but also elevated his position within the Arab weight.
Meshaal, 68, served as Hamas ‘ representative in foreign political circles for many years, avoiding the travel restrictions that kept many other Hamas leaders out of sight. His ability to navigate the complexities of local politicians, including strained relations with Iran as a result of his support for the Sunni Muslim-led revolt against Palestinian President Bashar al-Assad in 2011, was a key element of his command.
Meshaal has come under increasing scrutiny as the good prospect for management following the recent death of Haniyeh, which Hamas and Tehran have blamed on Israel. Hamas is currently at a pivotal point as it struggles to balance an continued and terrible conflict with Israel.
Hamas has been targeted by Israel, which has assassinated or attempted to assassinate several of its officials since its foundation in 1987 during the first Palestinian rebellion. The execution attempt’s success in 1997 marked a turning point for Mashaal and strengthened his standing within the organization. Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and Abdel-Aziz Al-Rantissi passed away in 2004 as the organization’s general manager.
Meshaal has resisted the idea of a lasting peace agreement, while also expressing his desire to take a Palestinian state based on the 1967 frontiers as a temporary solution, as well as a long-term peace. He has occasionally gotten into conflict with another Hamas leaders, especially those in Gaza, who favor more radical strategies because of this complex position.
The October 7, 2023, strike by Hamas extremists on Israel, which resulted in significant deaths and the theft of over 250 individuals, underscored the team’s continued commitment to military weight. Gaza has been devastated by Israel’s following retribution, which left many of its inhabitants in ruins. In the midst of this conflict, Meshaal has urged more Arab and Muslim citizens to join the fight with Israel, claiming that Palestinians will have the power to decide Gaza’s potential government without interference from outside.
Meshaal joined the Muslim Brotherhood at the age of 15 while residing in Kuwait, and his first involvement with Hamas began. He worked for Hamas from various Middle Eastern cities, including Doha, Cairo, and before moving to Damascus, before becoming a key fundraiser and later a prominent political figure.
Despite his history, Meshaal’s potential gain to command reflects the continued impact of long-time Hamas figures in shaping the party’s future direction. Meshaal’s practice and historical importance within the movement may help the organization move forward in the direction of its current leadership crisis. It’s unknown whether his administration will change Hamas’s current guidelines or reinvigorate them.
