Khaled Mashal
Leader of Palestinian resistance
Date of Birth:
1956
Silwad, West Bank, Palestine
Place of Birth:
Why Featured?
Played a pivotal role in leading Hamas and Palestinian resistance against Israeli occupation.
Brief bio
Khaled Mashal is a Palestinian political leader and former head of the political bureau of Hamas, a position he held from 1996 to 2017. He has been a prominent figure in the Palestinian resistance, especially after surviving an assassination attempt by Israeli agents in 1997. Throughout his leadership, he emphasized armed resistance and worked to build international support for Palestine, especially within the diaspora. Mashal remains a key figure in the Palestinian struggle, leading the Hamas diaspora office since 2021.
Major Milestones
Contributions
Born in Silwad and fled to Kuwait after the 1967 occupation: Mashal’s early life was marked by displacement due to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank.
Joined the Muslim Brotherhood during university in Kuwait: His political activism began at Kuwait University, where he studied physics and became involved in Palestinian student movements.
Headed the Hamas political bureau from 1996 to 2017: Following the assassination of Hamas leaders Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi, Mashal took over leadership, guiding the group through turbulent periods of conflict.
Survived an assassination attempt by Mossad in Jordan (1997): Israeli agents attempted to poison Mashal, but he survived after intervention from King Hussein of Jordan, which led to international attention and political gains for Hamas.
Elected to lead Hamas's diaspora office in 2021: After stepping down from the political bureau, Mashal was elected to lead the office responsible for Palestinian refugees and exiles.
Led Hamas during key conflicts with the Israeli occupation: Under Mashal's leadership, Hamas expanded its influence and coordinated significant military and political resistance against Israeli occupation, including during the Gaza blockade...See More
Built international support for Palestinian resistance: Mashal was instrumental in securing financial and political backing for Hamas from allies in the Middle East, including Iran and Syria, as well as the broader Muslim world.
Maintained armed resistance against Israeli occupation: Mashal consistently advocated for armed struggle as a key component of the Palestinian resistance, rejecting compromise or concessions that undermined Palestinian rights...See More
Strengthened Hamas’s social welfare programs: Under his leadership, Hamas expanded its social services in Gaza, supporting the Palestinian population through health, education, and other essential services amidst the Israeli siege.
Survived and politicized the 1997 assassination attempt: Mashal turned the failed assassination into a political victory, securing the release of Hamas's spiritual leader, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, in exchange for the Mossad agents captured in Jordan.
Date of Last Update:
November 10, 2024
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