Khaled Meshaal, a figure with a storied history in the Palestinian militant group Hamas, is being considered to take over leadership following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Iran. Meshaal, who survived an Israeli assassination attempt in 1997, has been a prominent leader within Hamas for decades, navigating the group through periods of intense conflict and diplomatic challenges.
In 1997, Meshaal became internationally known when Israeli agents, under the orders of then-Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, attempted to assassinate him by injecting poison into his ear on the streets of Amman, Jordan. The botched operation led to a diplomatic crisis, with Jordan’s King Hussein threatening to nullify the peace treaty with Israel unless an antidote was provided. Israel complied, and the incident not only saved Meshaal’s life but also elevated his status within the Palestinian resistance.
Meshaal, 68, led Hamas from exile for many years, representing the group in international diplomatic circles, a role that allowed him to avoid the travel restrictions that confined many other Hamas officials. His leadership was marked by his ability to navigate the complexities of regional politics, including strained relations with Iran following his support for the Sunni Muslim-led uprising against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2011.
The recent assassination of Haniyeh, which Hamas and Tehran have blamed on Israel, has brought Meshaal back into the spotlight as the likely candidate to assume leadership. His potential return comes at a critical juncture, as Hamas faces both internal and external pressures amid an ongoing and brutal conflict with Israel.
Since its founding during the first Palestinian uprising in 1987, Hamas has been targeted by Israel, which has assassinated or attempted to assassinate several of its leaders. Meshaal’s survival of the 1997 assassination attempt was a turning point that solidified his position within the group. After the deaths of Hamas founders Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and Abdel-Aziz Al-Rantissi in 2004, Meshaal assumed the overall leadership of Hamas.
While Meshaal has maintained a hardline stance against Israel, rejecting the idea of a permanent peace deal, he has also signaled a willingness to accept a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders as a temporary solution, coupled with a long-term ceasefire. This nuanced position has sometimes put him at odds with other Hamas leaders, particularly those based in Gaza who favor more militant approaches.
The October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas militants on Israel, which resulted in significant casualties and the kidnapping of over 250 people, underscored the group’s continued commitment to armed resistance. Israel’s subsequent retaliation has devastated Gaza, killing tens of thousands and leaving much of the territory in ruins. Amid this chaos, Meshaal has called for broader Arab and Muslim participation in the conflict against Israel, asserting that Palestinians will decide Gaza’s future governance without external influence.
Meshaal’s early involvement with Hamas began after he joined the Muslim Brotherhood at the age of 15 while living in Kuwait. Over the years, he transitioned from a schoolteacher to a key fundraiser and eventually a leading political figure within Hamas, operating from various Middle Eastern capitals including Doha, Cairo, and previously Damascus.
Despite his past, Meshaal’s potential return to leadership reflects the ongoing influence of long-time Hamas figures in shaping the group’s future direction. As Hamas navigates its current leadership crisis, Meshaal’s experience and historical significance within the movement could guide the group through the next phase of its struggle. Whether his leadership will bring a shift in strategy or reinforce Hamas’s existing policies remains to be seen.
In 1997, Meshaal became internationally known when Israeli agents, under the orders of then-Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, attempted to assassinate him by injecting poison into his ear on the streets of Amman, Jordan. The botched operation led to a diplomatic crisis, with Jordan’s King Hussein threatening to nullify the peace treaty with Israel unless an antidote was provided. Israel complied, and the incident not only saved Meshaal’s life but also elevated his status within the Palestinian resistance.
Meshaal, 68, led Hamas from exile for many years, representing the group in international diplomatic circles, a role that allowed him to avoid the travel restrictions that confined many other Hamas officials. His leadership was marked by his ability to navigate the complexities of regional politics, including strained relations with Iran following his support for the Sunni Muslim-led uprising against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2011.
The recent assassination of Haniyeh, which Hamas and Tehran have blamed on Israel, has brought Meshaal back into the spotlight as the likely candidate to assume leadership. His potential return comes at a critical juncture, as Hamas faces both internal and external pressures amid an ongoing and brutal conflict with Israel.
Since its founding during the first Palestinian uprising in 1987, Hamas has been targeted by Israel, which has assassinated or attempted to assassinate several of its leaders. Meshaal’s survival of the 1997 assassination attempt was a turning point that solidified his position within the group. After the deaths of Hamas founders Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and Abdel-Aziz Al-Rantissi in 2004, Meshaal assumed the overall leadership of Hamas.
While Meshaal has maintained a hardline stance against Israel, rejecting the idea of a permanent peace deal, he has also signaled a willingness to accept a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders as a temporary solution, coupled with a long-term ceasefire. This nuanced position has sometimes put him at odds with other Hamas leaders, particularly those based in Gaza who favor more militant approaches.
The October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas militants on Israel, which resulted in significant casualties and the kidnapping of over 250 people, underscored the group’s continued commitment to armed resistance. Israel’s subsequent retaliation has devastated Gaza, killing tens of thousands and leaving much of the territory in ruins. Amid this chaos, Meshaal has called for broader Arab and Muslim participation in the conflict against Israel, asserting that Palestinians will decide Gaza’s future governance without external influence.
Meshaal’s early involvement with Hamas began after he joined the Muslim Brotherhood at the age of 15 while living in Kuwait. Over the years, he transitioned from a schoolteacher to a key fundraiser and eventually a leading political figure within Hamas, operating from various Middle Eastern capitals including Doha, Cairo, and previously Damascus.
Despite his past, Meshaal’s potential return to leadership reflects the ongoing influence of long-time Hamas figures in shaping the group’s future direction. As Hamas navigates its current leadership crisis, Meshaal’s experience and historical significance within the movement could guide the group through the next phase of its struggle. Whether his leadership will bring a shift in strategy or reinforce Hamas’s existing policies remains to be seen.