Khaled Meshaal, a senior Hamas official, is tipped to succeed Ismail Haniyeh as the leader of the Palestinian militant group. Meshaal, 68, has been a central figure in Hamas since the late 1990s and has been living in exile due to Israeli attempts to assassinate him. He has been a key figure in Hamas’ international relations and has represented the group in meetings with foreign governments.
Meshaal’s relations with Iran have been strained due to his past support for the Syrian uprising against Bashar al-Assad. However, he remains a favourite of Iran and its allies in the region. Another senior Hamas official, Khalil al-Hayya, is also a possibility for the leadership.
Meshaal has been a key figure in Hamas’ decision-making process and has grappled with the issue of whether to adopt a more pragmatic approach to Israel. He rejects the idea of a permanent peace deal with Israel but has said that Hamas could accept a Palestinian state in the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem as a temporary solution.
The article highlights Meshaal’s history with Hamas, including his attempted assassination by Israeli agents in 1997 and his role in the group’s international relations. It also notes the challenges he faces, including friction with the Gaza-based Hamas leadership and his strained relations with Iran.
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