Taher al-Nunu is the media advisor to Ismail Haniyeh, the chief of Hamas’s political bureau.“Commanders in exile: Gazan faction heads quit the Strip,” I24 News, January 13, 2022, https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/middle-east/palestinian-territories/1642069442-commanders-in-exile-gazan-faction-heads-quit-the-strip. Al-Nunu has been affiliated with Hamas in an official position since at least 2011.Isabel Kershner and Fares Akram, “Palestinian Unity Effort Shows Cracks as Factions Disagree Over Choosing Leader,” New York Times, June 13, 2011, https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/14/world/middleeast/14mideast.html. However, he reportedly held the title of “media coordinator” and “media adviser” since at least 2012.“Qatari emir in historic Gaza visit,” Al Jazeera, October 23, 2012, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2012/10/23/qatari-emir-in-historic-gaza-visit.

In 2015, al-Nunu announced that Hamas planned to launch a social media campaign on X, previously known as Twitter, that was called #AskHamas.“Gaza PM adviser dismisses Israel recognition remarks,” Anadolu Agency, February 12, 2015, https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/gaza-pm-adviser-dismisses-israel-recognition-remarks. According to al-Nunu the campaign was “aimed at rejecting the label of the Palestinian resistance as ‘terrorists.’” #AskHamas was largely discredited with negative responses tallying around 3,000 before the campaign was even launched.Adam Taylor, “Hamas’s #AskHamas Twitter campaign is being mocked and it hasn’t even started yet,” Washington Post, March 12, 2015, https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2015/03/12/hamass-askhamas-twitter-campaign-is-being-mocked-and-it-hasnt-even-started-yet/.

In March 2017, al-Nunu responded to news that after four years of work, Hamas had drafted a new platform to replace the group’s 1988 charter. The controversial document included language of Hamas’s struggle specifically against the Jews and the promise of obliterating Israel. The new document instead labeled Hamas’s enemies as “occupiers.”Ian Fisher and Majd Al Waheidi, “New Hamas Charter Would Name ‘Occupiers,’ Not ‘Jews,’ as the Enemy,” March 9, 2017, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/09/world/middleeast/hamas-gaza-israel-jews.html. According to al-Nunu, the new platform endorses “that we don’t fight Jews because they are Jews…our struggle is only against those who occupied our lands.”Ian Fisher and Majd Al Waheidi, “New Hamas Charter Would Name ‘Occupiers,’ Not ‘Jews,’ as the Enemy,” March 9, 2017, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/09/world/middleeast/hamas-gaza-israel-jews.html.

Following the U.K.’s designation of Hamas’s political bureau as a terrorist organization in November 2021, al-Nunu claimed Haniyeh condemned the decision and seeks to enlist Arab, Islamic and international support to oppose the decision. However, al-Nunu also claimed the decision will not change anything as Hamas does not have a presence in the U.K.“Palestinian condemnations of the British decision to outlaw Hamas’ political bureau,” The Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, October 12, 2021, https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/en/palestinian-condemnations-of-the-british-decision-to-outlaw-hamas-political-bureau/. As of 2022, it is suspected that al-Nunu lives in Doha, Qatar.“Commanders in exile: Gazan faction heads quit the Strip,” I24 News, January 13, 2022, https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/middle-east/palestinian-territories/1642069442-commanders-in-exile-gazan-faction-heads-quit-the-strip.

Hamas continues to wage a vengeful campaign against Israel and on October 7, 2023, a day after the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur war, Hamas launched a massive attack on Israel that included hundreds of Hamas fighters ambushing more than a dozen Israeli communities and military bases within 15 miles of the Gaza border. Hamas militants also launched thousands of rockets reaching as far as Tel Aviv.Ammar Awad and Maayan Lubell, “Gunmen in homes, captives abducted leave Israelis in shock,” Reuters, October 7, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/gunmen-homes-captives-abducted-gaza-leave-israelis-shock-2023-10-07/. At least 800 people in Israel were killed and more than 1,000 were wounded in the first three days. Israel retaliated with airstrikes on in Gaza and on October 8, issued an official declaration of war.Tia Goldenberg and Wafaa Shurafa, “Israel declares war, bombards Gaza and battles to dislodge Hamas fighters after surprise attack,” Associated Press, October 8, 2023, https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-ca7903976387cfc1e1011ce9ea805a71.

Sources close to Hamas later told Reuters the terrorist group prepared for the operation for two years by constructing and training in mock settlements in Gaza.Samia Nakhoul and Jonathan Saul, “How Israel was duped as Hamas planned devastating assault,” Reuters, October 8, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/how-israel-was-duped-hamas-planned-devastating-assault-2023-10-08/. The Wall Street Journal reported several senior Hamas and Hezbollah sources confirmed the participation of officials from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in planning the attack in meetings in Beirut in August 2023. According to those officials, the IRGC had provided a greenlight for the attack in September.Ammar Awad and Maayan Lubell, “Gunmen in homes, captives abducted leave Israelis in shock,” Reuters, October 7, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/gunmen-homes-captives-abducted-gaza-leave-israelis-shock-2023-10-07/; Samia Nakhoul and Jonathan Saul, “How Israel was duped as Hamas planned devastating assault,” Reuters, October 8, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/how-israel-was-duped-hamas-planned-devastating-assault-2023-10-08/; Hadas Gold, Abeer Salman, Kareem Khadder, Paul P. Murphy, Allegra Goodwin, Benjamin Brown, and Sophie Tanno, “Festivalgoers, children, soldiers: What we know about the people captured by Hamas,” CNN, October 9, 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/08/europe/israel-hostages-hamas-what-we-know-intl/index.html; Summer Said, Benoit Faucon, and Stephen Kalin, “Iran Helped Plot Attack on Israel Over Several Weeks,” Wall Street Journal, October 8, 2023, https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/iran-israel-hamas-strike-planning-bbe07b25.

Khaled Qaddoumi is Hamas’s representative in Tehran, Iran. He is responsible for raising Hamas’s interests with Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and members of the Iranian government. He also acts as a public mouthpiece for Hamas to Iranian and international media.Adnan Abu Amer, “Haniyeh’s visit signals Hamas seeks stronger Iranian alliance,” Al Monitor, January 8, 2020, https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2020/01/hamas-haniyeh-visit-iran-funeral-soleimani-alliance-support.html.

As Hamas’s point of contact in Iran, Qaddoumi ensures a strong relationship between the two. While he maintains Iran is a “partner,” “friend,” and “supporter” of Hamas, he insists the group is not an Iranian proxy.Ali Hashem, “Hamas representative in Iran: latest round of fighting is strategic shift for group,” Al-Monitor, May 17, 2021, https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2021/05/hamas-representative-iran-latest-round-fighting-strategic-shift-group. Yet, Qaddoumi routinely acknowledges Iranian support for Hamas, both politically and militarily. At the height of Hamas’s 11-day May 2021 conflict with Israel, Qaddoumi praised Iran for providing Hamas with knowledge and weapons to arm itself. He also called the conflict a “strategic shift” for Hamas “from defending Gaza against Israeli attacks to defending all Palestinians living in historical Palestine.”Ali Hashem, “Hamas representative in Iran: latest round of fighting is strategic shift for group,” Al-Monitor, May 17, 2021, https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2021/05/hamas-representative-iran-latest-round-fighting-strategic-shift-group. During an anti-Israel student rally at the University of Tehran on May 13, 2021, during that month’s conflict, Qaddoumi announced Palestinians and Iranians would jointly seek the destruction of Israel.“Iranian people join students to slam Israel’s vicious onslaught against Gazans,” Pars Today, May 13, 2021, https://parstoday.com/en/news/iran-i142050-iranian_people_join_students_to_slam_israel%E2%80%99s_vicious_onslaught_against_gazans.

Qaddoumi has worked to elevate Hamas’s profile in Iran, joining Hamas delegations in meeting with Khamenei and other high-ranking Iranian officials. After Iran cut back its support of Hamas in response to the terror group voicing support for protesters at the start of the Syrian civil war,Robert Tait, “Iran Cuts Hamas Funding over Syria,” Telegraph (London), May 31, 2013, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/palestinianauthority/10091629/Iran-cuts-Hamas-funding-over-Syria.html. Qaddoumi participated in multiple meetings that eventually saw Iran restore its support. In January 2016, Qaddoumi met with then Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif in Tehran to discuss potential Iranian financial support for Hamas. Zarif offered to restore full Iranian support to Hamas in exchange for Hamas officially declaring its allegiance to Iran. At the time, Hamas’s leadership feared such a declaration would alienate Hamas from Sunni Arab states and ultimately rejected the deal.Avi Issacharoff, “Hamas rejects Iran offer of funding in return for backing in Saudi row,’” Times of Israel, January 15, 2016, https://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-rejects-iran-offer-of-funding-in-return-for-backing-in-saudi-row/. Nonetheless, Hamas and Iran publicly restored their ties in 2017.Fares Akram and Josef Federman, “New Hamas leader says it is getting aid again from Iran,” Associated Press, August 28, 2017, https://apnews.com/0427f88fe857479caa633fad5683aa96/New-Hamas-leader-says-it-is-getting-aid-again-from-Iran.

Since it seized control of the Gaza Strip in 2007 and became the territory’s de facto government, Hamas has sought to moderate its image by branding itself as a legitimate resistance to Israeli occupation. In his role as an international spokesman for Hamas, Qaddoumi has embraced this narrative while also defending Hamas’s continued use of violence. On May 1, 2017, Hamas unveiled a new policy document, the first since the release of its 1988 organizational charter. The document omitted the original charter’s references to Jews and framed the Palestinian struggle as a nationalistic rather than religious one. Though the document accepted the idea of a Palestinian state along the pre-1967 lines, the charter continued to withhold recognition of the State of Israel. As the document outlines, Hamas continues to embrace “armed resistance” against Israel in its pursuit of the “liberation” of Palestine “from the river to the sea.” “A Document of General Principles & Policies,” Hamas Media Office, accessed October 19, 2021, http://hamas.ps/ar/uploads/documents/06c77206ce934064ab5a901fa8bfef44.pdf; “New Hamas policy document ‘aims to soften image,’” BBC News, May 1, 2017, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-39744551. In a meeting that month with the Iranian parliament speaker’s special adviser on international affairs, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Qaddoumi emphasized Hamas remained committed to its “previous principles” of not recognizing Israel, seeking the return of all Palestinian refugees, and maintaining the importance of Jerusalem.“Saudi’s reliance on Trump’s America to yield no results,” Mehr News Agency, May 29, 2017, https://en.mehrnews.com/news/125637/Saudi-reliance-on-Trump-s-US-to-yield-no-results.

Qaddoumi has also sought to internationalize the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by labeling the Palestinian issue as a shared cause and source of unity for all Muslims.“Hamas representative meets Iranian MPs over support for uprising,” Palestinian Information Center, November 26, 2015, https://english.palinfo.com/news/2015/11/26/hamas-representative-meets-iranian-mps-over-support-for-uprising. During the 32nd Islamic Unity Conference in Tehran in November 2018, Qaddoumi called Jerusalem and Palestine a “big umbrella” under which all Islamic nations can gather.Mohammad Ali Haqshenas, “Palestine a big umbrella that gathers all Muslims: Hamas rep.,” Mehr News Agency, November 26, 2018, https://en.mehrnews.com/news/139908/Palestine-a-big-umbrella-that-gathers-all-Muslims-Hamas-rep. He called for “practical steps” to “confront the Zio-American hegemony in the region.”https://en.mehrnews.com/news/139908/Palestine-a-big-umbrella-that-gathers-all-Muslims-Hamas-rep. As such, Qaddoumi has rejected all normalization with Israel by Muslim nations. After condemning a June 2016 reconciliation agreement between Israel and Turkey, Qaddoumi designated normalization with Israel as “a bad thing.”“Gaza – Senior Hamas Officials Blast Israel-Turkey Normalization Deal,” Vos Iz Neias?, June 28, 2016, https://vinnews.com/2016/06/28/senior-hamas-officials-blast-israel-turkey-normalization-deal/. Qaddoumi condemned the August 2020 normalization agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates as a betrayal of the Palestinian people.Zahra Mirzafarjouyan, “No deal can legitimize the Zionist regime: Khaled al- Qaddumi,” Mehr News Agency, August 24, 2020, https://en.mehrnews.com/news/162679/No-deal-can-legitimize-the-Zionist-regime-Khaled-al-Qaddumi.

Qaddoumi continues to represent Hamas’s violent, anti-Israel agenda from Tehran. After the UAE signed its normalization agreement with Israel in 2020, Qaddoumi reaffirmed Hamas’s position that Israel “is destined for destruction and deterioration.”“UAE suffering from Stockholm Syndrome: Khaled al-Qaddumi,” Mehr News Agency, August 25, 2020, https://en.mehrnews.com/news/162737/UAE-suffering-from-Stockholm-Syndrome-Khaled-al-Qaddumi. He reiterated this and reaffirmed Iran’s support for Hamas during an August 2022 rally in Tehran, during which he praised Iran and the Iranian people for standing with the Palestinians against Israel.“Iranians stage rally in support of Palestinians, decry Israel's attack on Gaza,” Tehran Times, August 10, 2022, https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/475529/Iranians-stage-rally-in-support-of-Palestinians-decry-Israel-s. After Saudi Arabia and Iran announced the resumption of ties in March 2023, Qaddoumi told Iranian media Hamas expects the agreement to bring dignity, authority, and stability to the Islamic community. He called Palestine the link between different parts of the Islamic ummah, which faces “a common enemy” in Israel.“Iran-Saudi ties restoration fatal blow to US-Israeli project,” Mehr News Agency, March 12, 2023, https://en.mehrnews.com/news/198382/Iran-Saudi-ties-restoration-fatal-blow-to-US-Israeli-project.

Hazem Qasim is a spokesman for Hamas based in the Gaza Strip.“Hamas: Israel strikes in Gaza 'failed attempt to show off its power',” Middle East Monitor, July 26, 2021, https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210726-hamas-israel-strikes-in-gaza-failed-attempt-to-show-off-its-power/. He speaks on behalf of Hamas in Gaza to the media, often taking hard positions against Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

In April 2020, Qasim blamed Israel’s blockade of Gaza for the COVID-19 outbreak in the strip.“Hamas blames Israel for coronavirus outbreak in Gaza,” Anadolu Agency, April 3, 2020, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/latest-on-coronavirus-outbreak/hamas-blames-israel-for-coronavirus-outbreak-in-gaza/1791120. He has praised violence both by Hamas and other groups against Israel. After U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled his “Deal of the Century” peace plan, Qasim labeled the plan a path toward Israeli annexation and called for a Day of Rage by Palestinians.“Hamas: All Palestinian Factions United against Annexation,” Tasnim News Agency, July 1, 2020, https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2020/07/01/2297703/hamas-all-palestinian-factions-united-against-annexation. Following an attempted vehicle ramming attack at the West Bank settlement of Einav, Qasim called the attempt a “new act of resistance by mighty Jenin, whose revolutionary youth are responding to the crimes of the occupation.”“Hamas praises West Bank attempted ramming attack,” Times of Israel, December 21, 2021, https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/hamas-praises-west-bank-attempted-ramming-attack/.

Qasim accuses the Fatah party of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas of failing to respond to reconciliation initiatives by Hamas.“Hamas calls on Fatah to take practical steps towards reconciliation,” Middle East Monitor, April 20, 2020, https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200420-hamas-calls-on-fatah-to-take-practical-steps-towards-reconciliation/. He has called for a full investigation into corruption within the Palestinian Authority. After an October 2021 Palestinian State Audit Administrative Bureau report, Qasim accused PA leaders of stealing public funds. According to Qasim, “a small group of PA leaders are controlling the resources of our people and are using them for their personal interests.”“Hamas calls for probe into PA corruption,” Middle East Monitor, October 12, 2021, https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20211012-hamas-calls-for-probe-into-pa-corruption/.

In line with this stance against PA cooperation with Israel and Hamas’s hardline position, Qasim has also lambasted Arab nations that normalized relations with Israel. He condemned a November 19, 2020, visit to Israel by Bahrain’s foreign minister as “an unacceptable act at the Arab and moral levels” that makes Bahrain “a partner in the aggression against our people’s rights to their lands.” “Statement on Bahraini FM’s visit to Israeli occupation,” Hamas, November 19, 2020, https://hamas.ps/en/post/3091/Statement-on-Bahraini-FM-s-visit-to-Israeli-occupation. That visit came days after a visit to the United Arab Emirates by a delegation of Israeli settlers seeking to expand business opportunities in Dubai. Qasim condemned UAE “collaboration” in violation of Arab League resolutions boycotting Israeli settlements.“Israeli settler delegation visits Dubai following UAE accord,” Associated Press, November 11, 2020, https://apnews.com/article/israel-jerusalem-west-bank-dubai-united-arab-emirates-c93b75d6c575a7ccf6e0d8bccce53f9c; “Statement on West Bank settlement council chief’s visit to UAE,” Hamas, November 15, 2020, https://hamas.ps/en/post/3087/Statement-on-West-Bank-settlement-council-chief-s-visit-to-UAE.

Hamas presents itself as a champion of Palestinians imprisoned in Israel. Qasim has made numerous statements calling for the release of prisoners and claiming Hamas victories when prisoners are released or win legal battles. In December 2016, Palestinian prisoners Ahmed Abu Fara and Anas Shadeed received an Israeli pledge to free them within four months after a 90-day hunger strike.“Hamas congratulates prisoners Abu Fara and Shadeed on victory,” Hamas, December 23, 2016, https://hamas.ps/en/post/489/Hamas-congratulates-prisoners-Abu-Fara-and-Shadeed-on-victory. October 17, 2022, marked the anniversary of the 2011 agreement that freed captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit from Hamas five years of Hamas captivity in exchange for more than 1,000 prisoners held in Israel. Qasim claimed Hamas is “working round the clock to liberate” Palestinians from Israeli prisons.“Hamas ‘working round the clock’ to liberate Palestinian detainees, says spokesperson,” Hamas, October 17, 2022, https://hamas.ps/en/post/4341/Hamas-working-round-the-clock-to-liberate-Palestinian-detainees-says-spokesperson.

Ali Baraka is head of Hamas National Relations Abroad. “Hamas representative meets officials from Ansaruallh movement in Lebanon,” Hamas, February 9, 2022, https://hamas.ps/en/post/3917/Hamas-representative-meets-officials-from-Ansaruallh-movement-in-Lebanon. He previously acted as Hamas’s representative in Lebanon from 2011 to 2019.“Abdulhadi succeeds Baraka as Hamas Representative in Lebanon,” Hamas, January 10, 2019, https://hamas.ps/en/post/1834/Abdulhadi-succeeds-Baraka-as-Hamas-Representative-in-Lebanon. During that time Baraka met with international diplomats based in Lebanon on behalf of Hamas and spoke out in support of Hamas’s violent campaigns.

Despite Hamas’s designation as a terrorist group by several nations, Baraka maintained positive ties with multiple foreign leaders in Lebanon. In 2016, he met with an Iranian delegation to discuss Iranian-Palestinian relations.“Hamas representative meets with Iranian officials in Beirut,” The Palestinian Chronicle, September 2, 2016, https://www.palestinechronicle.com/hamas-representative-meets-iranian-officials-beirut/. In February 2017, Baraka met with Chinese Ambassador to Lebanon Wang Kigian at the Chinese embassy in Beirut. Baraka criticized the Israeli government’s “plans to judaize Jerusalem” and alleged continuous Israeli attacks on the Islamic and Christian places in Jerusalem.“Hamas representative in Lebanon meets with the Chinese ambassador,” Hamas, February 15, 2017, https://hamas.ps/en/post/526/Hamas-representative-in-Lebanon-meets-with-the-Chinese-ambassador. He asked the Chinese government to intervene against Israeli aggression in the West Bank and Jerusalem, as well as to help end Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip. According to Hamas, Kigian was keen to maintain good relations with the whole political spectrum of the Palestinian people and promised to inform his government about the Palestinians suffering in refugee camps.“Hamas representative in Lebanon meets with the Chinese ambassador,” Hamas, February 15, 2017, https://hamas.ps/en/post/526/Hamas-representative-in-Lebanon-meets-with-the-Chinese-ambassador. That August, Baraka delivered a letter to the Kuwaiti ambassador in Lebanon to pass on to Kuwaiti emir Sheikh Subah Ahmed El-Subah. The letter from Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh.“Hamas sends letter to Kuwaiti Amir,” Hamas, August 2, 2017, https://hamas.ps/en/post/905/Hamas-sends-letter-to-Kuwaiti-Amir.

Baraka also sought to exert Hamas’s influence over Lebanese policy. Following several violent clashes in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon in early 2017, Baraka called on Lebanese authorities to boost security and to prosecute gunmen who fire toward Palestinian camps. Baraka affirmed Hamas’s determination to maintain security in the Palestinian camps in Lebanon but emphasized the importance of the joint efforts to strengthen Palestinian-Lebanese relations.“Baraka demands prosecuting the armed groups near Burj al- Barajneh,” Hamas, March 12, 2017, https://hamas.ps/en/post/561/Baraka-demands-prosecuting-the-armed-groups-near-Burj-al-Barajneh; “UNICEF, UNRWA condemn violence in Ain Al-Hilweh refugee camp,” Middle East Monitor, March 1, 2017, https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20170301-unicef-unrwa-condemn-violence-in-ain-al-hilweh-refugee-camp/.

Baraka also met with high-level Lebanese government officials. In April 2017, Barak met with Lebanese Human Rights Minister Ayman Shqeir to congratulate him on his new position. While discussing Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, Baraka asked Shqeir to intervene to improve the circumstances of the Palestinian refugees in Lebanese camps.“Hamas representative meets with the Lebanese human rights minister,” Hamas, April 8, 2017, https://hamas.ps/en/post/618/Hamas-representative-meets-with-the-Lebanese-human-rights-minister. That May, Baraka delivered a letter of gratitude to Lebanese Education Minister Marwan Hamada in appreciation of a decision to reinstate the Palestinian cause in the Lebanese curriculum.“Hamas hails the Lebanese education minister decision,” Hamas, May 31, 2017, https://hamas.ps/en/post/758/Hamas-hails-the-Lebanese-education-minister-decision. On June 27 that year, Baraka visited Lebanese parliamentarian Abdel Rahim Murad, the head of the Union Party in Lebanon, in his office in Beirut. Baraka told Murad Hamas seeks to strengthen its relations with all Arab and Islamic countries and refused to divide them into rivals. He also called for resolving internal Arab disputes.“Barakah discusses with Lebanese Minister, Murad, the developments of the Palestinian cause,” Hamas, June 28, 2017, https://hamas.ps/en/post/825/Barakah-discusses-with-Lebanese-Minister-Murad-the-developments-of-the-Palestinian-cause. Baraka also delivered letters from Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh to Lebanese President Michel Aoun, Lebanese Grand Mufti Abudul Latif Drian, and other leaders.“Hamas sent letter on Jerusalem to Lebanon's president,” Hamas, July 28, 2017, https://hamas.ps/en/post/898/Hamas-sent-letter-on-Jerusalem-to-Lebanon-s-president; “Barakah delivers letter from Haniyeh to Lebanese Mufti,” Hamas, August 4, 2017, https://hamas.ps/en/post/910/Barakah-delivers-letter-from-Haniyeh-to-Lebanese-Mufti.

Iran-backed Hezbollah exerts extensive control over Lebanon. Relations between Hamas and Hezbollah, as well as Hezbollah’s primary patron Iran, fractured after the start of the Syrian civil war in 2011. In February 2012, Hamas’s leadership abandoned its headquarters in Syria and voiced support for rebels opposing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.“Hamas Political Chiefs Exit Syria,” BBC News, February 28, 2012, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-17192278. In May 2013, reports circulated that Hezbollah had ordered Baraka to leave Lebanon because of Hamas’s support for the rebels. Baraka denied the reports and claimed Hamas intended to remain in Lebanon.Stuart Winer, “Hamas denies Hezbollah booting it out of Lebanon,” Times of Israel, May 30, 2013, https://www.timesofisrael.com/hamas-denies-it-was-told-to-get-out-of-lebanon/. When a new conflict between Israel and Hamas began in June 2014, however, Baraka sought to mediate a reconciliation between Hezbollah and Hamas. On August 4, 2014, Baraka and Mahmoud Qamati, vice president of Hezbollah’s political office, met in the Beirut in a demonstration of support for the Gaza Strip. Hezbollah’s Al-Manar channel also hosted Baraka to give Hamas’s perspective on the war. Nasser Chararah, “Gaza war brings Hamas, Hezbollah closer,” Al-Monitor, August 8, 2014, https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2014/08/hamas-hezbollah-relations-meshaal-normalization.html. By the time a ceasefire went into effect on August 5, Hamas had launched 2,200 rockets into Israel.Yasmine Saleh and Lin Noueihed, “Israel, Hamas Militants Begin 72-Hour Truce,” Chicago Tribune, August 5, 2014, http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-israel-hamas-gaza-truce-20140804-story.html. Lebanese authorities reportedly arrested Baraka in 2020 with hundreds of thousands of dollars in his possession, which were intended to be smuggled into Gaza.“U.S. And UK Target Additional Hamas Finance Officials and Representatives,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, December 13, 2023, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1981. In May 2021, Hezbollah and Lebanese media reported Baraka praising “excellent” relations between Hamas and Hezbollah.Lebanese News and Updates, Twitter post, May 16, 2021, 5:52 a.m., https://twitter.com/LebUpdate/status/1393866916721315840; “Hamas Official Says Coordination with Hezbollah ‘Excellent,’” Al Manar TV, May 16, 2021, https://english.almanar.com.lb/1342420.

Baraka stepped down from his role as Hamas’s Lebanese representative in January 2019 after serving two four-year terms. Ahmed Abd al-Hadi replaced Baraka in the position.“Abdulhadi succeeds Baraka as Hamas Representative in Lebanon,” Hamas, January 10, 2019, https://hamas.ps/en/post/1834/Abdulhadi-succeeds-Baraka-as-Hamas-Representative-in-Lebanon. Baraka remained in Lebanon and assumed the role of leading Hamas’s relations abroad. In September 2020, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh met with Palestinian factions in Lebanon to discuss a response to the United Arab Emirates’ August decision to normalize relations with Israel, as well as then-U.S. President Donald Trump’s recently announced Deal of the Century peace plan for Palestinians and Israelis. According to Baraka, Hamas sought “a unified Palestinian strategy to confront normalisation schemes” and “to reject” Trump’s plan.“Hamas leader in Lebanon to meet Palestinian factions,” Al Jazeera, September 2, 2020, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/9/2/hamas-leader-in-lebanon-to-meet-palestinian-factions. Baraka praised Lebanon as an ideal host for the talks because of its support for the Palestinian cause and large population of Palestinian refugees.“Hamas leader in Lebanon to meet Palestinian factions,” Al Jazeera, September 2, 2020, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/9/2/hamas-leader-in-lebanon-to-meet-palestinian-factions.

In January 2022, Baraka joined a Hamas delegation in Algeria’s capital to discuss efforts to achieve Palestinian unity. Baraka welcomed an Algerian initiative for Hamas and other Palestinian factions to hold a national dialogue. According to Baraka, Hamas is “keen” on achieving national unity.“‘National dialogue held in Algeria is a golden opportunity to heal division,’ Hamas official says,” Hamas, January 19, 2022, https://hamas.ps/en/post/3876/National-dialogue-held-in-Algeria-is-a-golden-opportunity-to-heal-division-Hamas-official-says. Algeria hosted the dialogue that October, resulting in 14 Palestinian factions signing the Declaration of Algiers on October 13.“Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General - on Algiers Declaration by Palestinian groups,” United Nations, October 15, 2022, https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/statement/2022-10-15/statement-attributable-the-spokesperson-for-the-secretary-general-algiers-declaration-palestinian-groups; “Palestinian groups Fatah, Hamas meet in Algeria to heal rift,” Al Jazeera, October 11, 2022, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/10/11/palestinian-groups-fatah-hamas-meet-in-algeria-to-heal-rift.

Despite his position in diplomacy, Baraka remains committed to Hamas’s use of violence as its primary weapon against Israel. During a November 23, 2018, interview with Iraq’s Al-Nujaba TV, Baraka declared Hamas’s missiles were capable of reaching Tel Aviv and farther into Israel.MEMRI, “Hamas official: ‘Our missiles can strike anywhere in Israel,’” Jewish News Syndicate, December 3, 2018, https://www.jns.org/hamas-official-our-missiles-can-strike-anywhere-in-israel-iranian-support-is-the-basis-of-our-steadfastness/. During a December 2022 speech commemorating Hamas’s 35th anniversary, Baraka Baraka called for Israel to immediately lift its blockade of Gaza and again warned Hamas’s missiles could strike any part of Israel. He cited a Hamas missile fired toward Eilat, Israel, in May 2021, which caused the Eilat Ramon Airport to briefly suspend operations.Jack Khoury and Almog Ben Zikri, “Hamas Rocket Aimed at Israel's Eilat Airport Misses, but Operations Temporarily Halted,” Haaretz (Tel Aviv), May 13, 2021, https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2021-05-13/ty-article/.premium/hamas-rocket-aimed-at-israels-eilat-airport-misses-operations-temporarily-halted/0000017f-e5c4-dc7e-adff-f5edb37a0000; “Hamas official: Our missiles can strike any part of occupied territories,” Press TV, December 17, 2022, https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2022/12/17/694661/Palestine-Hamas-missiles-strike-occupied-territories-Ali-Baraka-resistance-Palestinian-cause.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a mass attack on Israel, sending hundreds of fighters into Israeli towns and military bases within 15 miles of the Gaza border while simultaneously launching a rocket barrage toward Israel.Josef Federman and Issam Adwan, “Hamas surprise attack out of Gaza stuns Israel and leaves hundreds dead in fighting, retaliation,” Associated Press, October 7, 2023, https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-11fb98655c256d54ecb5329284fc37d2; Josef Federman and Issam Adwan, “Hamas surprise attack out of Gaza stuns Israel and leaves hundreds dead in fighting, retaliation,” Associated Press, October 7, 2023, https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-11fb98655c256d54ecb5329284fc37d2. Hamas killed at least 1,200 people and captured over 240 civilian and military hostages.Josef Federman and Issam Adwan, “Hamas surprise attack out of Gaza stuns Israel and leaves hundreds dead in fighting, retaliation,” Associated Press, October 7, 2023, https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-11fb98655c256d54ecb5329284fc37d2; “Israel revises Hamas attack death toll to ‘around 1,200,’” Reuters, November 10, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-revises-death-toll-oct-7-hamas-attack-around-1200-2023-11-10/. Hamas labeled the attack Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.“Operation Al Aqsa Flood,” Hamas Online Telegram Channel, October 7, 2023. Following the attack, Israel issued an official declaration of war against Hamas and vowed to cripple the terrorist organization.Tia Goldenberg and Wafaa Shurafa, “Israel declares war, bombards Gaza and battles to dislodge Hamas fighters after surprise attack,” Associated Press, October 8, 2023, https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-ca7903976387cfc1e1011ce9ea805a71. The United States and United Kingdom sanctioned Baraka, alongside other Hamas leaders and financiers, on December 13 for his role in Hamas. The U.S. government designated Baraka as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under Executive Order 13224, accusing him of acting “for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Hamas.“U.S. And UK Target Additional Hamas Finance Officials and Representatives,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, December 13, 2023, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1981. The United Kingdom accused Baraka of publicly defending the October 7 attacks and Hamas’s taking of hostages.“UK and US target Hamas with new sanctions to isolate terror group,” Gov.UK, December 13, 2023, https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-and-us-target-hamas-with-new-sanctions-to-isolate-terror-group#:~:text=The%20UK%20has%20sanctioned%207,group%20to%20disrupt%20its%20operations. Hamas condemned the designation as “part of the collusion of the American and British governments with the Zionist entity in its aggression against our people and the demonization of its legitimate resistance.”Hamas statement, Hamas Online Telegram Channel, December 13, 2023.

On February 1, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice issued an indictment charging Baraka and five other senior Hamas leaders with terrorism charges related to October 7. According to the indictment, the six leaders played central roles in planning, supporting, and perpetrating Hamas’s terrorist atrocities of October 7. In addition to Baraka, the indictment charged Mohammed Deif, Marwan Issa, Khaled Meshaal, and Haniyeh. Prosecutors originally filed the criminal complaint in U.S. District Court in New York. The complaint specifically charged the six with conspiracy to murder U.S. citizens, conspiracy to finance terrorism, conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction resulting in death, and conspiracy to support terrorism resulting in death. The complaint cited Hamas terrorist acts dating back to 1996. According to the Justice Department, the indictment was kept under seal to prevent Haniyeh and others from going into hiding. The Justice Department unsealed the indictment on September 3, 2024, after determining there was no longer sufficient reason to keep the indictment sealed after Haniyeh’s death that July. “Justice Department Announces Terrorism Charges Against Senior Leaders of Hamas,” U.S. Department of Justice, September 3, 2024, https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-announces-terrorism-charges-against-senior-leaders-hamas.

Sultan Aziz Azam was the U.S.-designated spokesperson of Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIS-K), ISIS’s affiliate in Afghanistan. Since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, ISIS-K has become a prominent threat in the region, launching a series of high-casualty attacks targeting American nationals, the Taliban, and minority Afghan groups.“Letter dated 21 January 2021 from the Chair of the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011) and 2253 (2015) concerning Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities addressed to the President of the Security Council,” United Nations Security Council, February 3, 2021, https://undocs.org/en/S/2021/68. On November 22, 2021, the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Azam as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) and a Specially Designated National (SDN), respectively for his role in ISIS-K.“Taking Action Against ISIS-K,” U.S. Department of State, November 22, 2021, https://www.state.gov/taking-action-against-isis-k/; “Counter Terrorism Designations, Designations Updates and Designations Removals; Syria Designations Updates,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, November 22, 2021, https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/recent-actions/20211122.

Azam has allegedly held the role of ISIS-K spokesperson since the jihadist group was founded in Afghanistan in 2015.“Taking Action Against ISIS-K,” U.S. Department of State, November 22, 2021, https://www.state.gov/taking-action-against-isis-k/; Rahim Faiez and Lynne O’Donnel, “IS loyalists kill 3 police in first attack on Afghan forces,” Associated Press, September 27, 2015, http://bigstory.ap.org/article/4407127095a4444ab25ac5d71dc86b9d/afghan-official-islamic-state-fighters-kill-3-police; Rahim Faiez and Lynne O’Donnel, “IS loyalists kill 3 police in first attack on Afghan forces,” Associated Press, September 27, 2015, http://bigstory.ap.org/article/4407127095a4444ab25ac5d71dc86b9d/afghan-official-islamic-state-fighters-kill-3-police. Previously, Azam was reportedly a journalist and poet who gained popularity throughout Jalalabad, the capital of Nangarhar. However, following Azam’s appointment as ISIS-K spokesperson, media sources allege he “calls and threatens his former friends about IS beheading reporters.”Bilal Sarwary, “Radio wars: Islamic State takes over the Afghan airwaves,” IRIN, January 31, 2017, https://www.refworld.org/docid/58909d2a4.html.

On December 23, 2018, the Afghan National Army (ANA) claimed that Azam was killed in a U.S. airstrike targeting an “IS hideout” in Nangarhar. According to a statement released by the ANA, Azam was “the mouthpiece of the hard-liner group for Afghanistan,” and was in charge of recruiting militants for high-profile attacks in urban areas throughout the country.“IS Spokesman in Afghanistan Killed in Drone Strike,” Radio Free Europe, December 27, 2018, https://www.rferl.org/a/is-spokesman-in-afghanistan-killed-in-drone-strike/29679645.html. Although the United States confirmed the death of Azam, the claims were not verified by ISIS-K.“Islamic State-Afghanistan Spokesman Killed in US Airstrike,” Voice of America, December 27, 2018, https://www.voanews.com/a/islamic-state-afghanistan-spokesman-silenced-in-us-airstrike/4718751.html.

Following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, ISIS-K launched two bombings and a shooting at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul on August 26. The attack killed as many as 170 people and 13 U.S. service members were killed, with an additional 200 wounded.Jamie Johnson and Catherine Neilan, “Afghanistan explosion: At least 13 feared dead in double bomb attack at Kabul airport,” Telegraph, August 26, 2021, https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2021/08/26/afghanistan-threat-attack-kabul-airport-severe-imminent-warns/; Yuliya Talmazan, Mushtaq Yusufzai, Courtney Kube and Andrea Mitchell, “Multiple U.S. service members killed in explosions outside Kabul airport amid evacuations,” NBC News, August 26, 2021, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/high-threat-terror-attack-disrupts-kabul-airport-evacuations-biden-deadline-n1277670; Yaroslav Trofimov, Sune Engel Rassmussen, and Vivian Salama, “Kabul Airport Explosions Kill Four U.S. Marines, at Least 60 Afghans,” Wall Street Journal, August 26, 2021, https://www.wsj.com/articles/afghanistan-kabul-airport-explosion-11629976397; “Islamic State claims responsibility for deadly Kabul airport attack,” Reuters, August 26, 2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/islamic-state-claims-responsibility-kabul-airport-attack-2021-08-26/; Claire Parker, “World leaders, Taliban condemn attack near Kabul airport,” Washington Post, August 26, 2021, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/08/26/afghanistan-kabul-taliban-live-updates/; “Afghanistan Live Updates: Flights Resume at Kabul Airport After Deadly Attack,” New York Times, August 27, 2021, https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/08/27/world/afghanistan-taliban-biden-news. ISIS-K has since then carried out high-casualty attacks targeting Shiite mosques as well as former and current Taliban officials. Given Azam’s role in ISIS-K, the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Azam as an SDGT and SDN, respectively on November 22, 2021.“Taking Action Against ISIS-K,” U.S. Department of State, November 22, 2021, https://www.state.gov/taking-action-against-isis-k/.

Suhail Shaheen is the spokesman for the Taliban’s political office in Qatar.“Read What The Taliban Told NPR About Their Plans For Afghanistan,” NPR, August 18, 2021, https://www.npr.org/2021/08/18/1028780816/transcript-taliban-spokesman-suhail-shaheen-interview. Following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, on September 21, the Taliban announced that they nominated Shaheen as Afghanistan’s ambassador to the United Nations.Michelle Nichols, “Exclusive: Taliban names Afghan U.N. envoy, asks to speak to world leaders,” September 21, 2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/exclusive-taliban-names-afghan-un-envoy-asks-speak-world-leaders-2021-09-21/.

Born in the Paktia Province, Afghanistan, Shaheen is a fluent English speaker and writer who was educated at Kabul University. Shaheen then went on to edit the English-language, state-owned Kabul Times during the Taliban’s first regime in the 1990s until 2001. During the Taliban’s first reign, Shaheen was also appointed deputy ambassador at the Afghan embassy in Pakistan.“Meet Suhail Shaheen: Taliban's 'soft-spoken, calm' spokesperson named as UN envoy,” First Post, September 22, 2021, https://www.firstpost.com/world/meet-suhail-shaheen-talibans-soft-spoken-calm-spokesperson-named-as-un-envoy-9986771.html. Shaheen then went on to serve as spokesman for the Taliban Political Office in Qatar.“Suhail Shaheen,” Conciliation Resources, https://www.c-r.org/who-we-are/people/suhail-shaheen.

Beginning in February 2019, Shaheen was a part of the Taliban negotiating team that secured a peace deal between the Taliban and the United States.“Pullout and guarantees dominate talks with US: Taliban spokesman,” Al Jazeera, February 26, 2019, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/2/26/pullout-and-guarantees-dominate-talks-with-us-taliban-spokesman; Ayaz Gul, “Taliban Expects Peace Deal With US in Next Meeting,” Voice of America, July 31, 2019, https://www.voanews.com/a/south-central-asia_taliban-expects-peace-deal-us-next-meeting/6172955.html. The Taliban signed the Doha peace agreement with the U.S. government on February 29, 2020.Kathy Gannon, “Mullah’s rise charts Taliban’s long road back to power,” Associated Press, August 18, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-taliban-abdul-ghani-baradar-e80165eb6c65fc7ea8fae50212ba56c8. The terms of the agreement stated that the United States would fully withdraw military troops from Afghanistan within the next 14 months. In exchange, the Taliban agreed to renounce al-Qaeda and prevent al-Qaeda and other groups from using Afghanistan as a base for terrorism against the United States. The Taliban also agreed to negotiate a permanent ceasefire with other Afghan militants and the Afghan government.Asad Hashim, “Pakistan warns US of ‘spoilers’ on US-Taliban deal in Afghanistan,” Al Jazeera, March 1, 2020, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/03/pakistan-warns-spoilers-taliban-deal-afghanistan-200302093650382.html; Matthew Lee and Kathy Gannon, “US and Taliban sign deal aimed at ending war in Afghanistan,” Associated Press, February 29, 2020, https://apnews.com/491544713df4879f399d0ff5523d369e; “Susannah George and Dan Lamothe, “Afghan government objects to elements of U.S.-Taliban peace deal,” Washington Post, March 1, 2020, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/afghan-government-questions-aspects-of-us-taliban-peace-deal/2020/03/01/0a973228-5a68-11ea-8efd-0f904bdd8057_story.html. In September 2020, the Taliban began negotiations with the Afghan government to establish a more secure and cooperative future for Afghanistan. Shaheen served both as a spokesman for the Taliban as well as a delegate on the negotiating team. However, the talks were continually stalled and did not lead to an eventual peace agreement.Susannah George, , Aziz Tassal and Haq Nawaz Khan, “Shadow politicians, clerics and Soviet-era fighters: The Taliban’s team negotiating peace,” Washington Post, September 30, 2020, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/afghan-taliban-peace-talks/2020/09/30/a5333540-f859-11ea-85f7-5941188a98cd_story.html.

On August 6, 2021, the Taliban began an offensive against major Afghan cities with the seizure of Zaranj, capital of Nimruz province.Susannah George and Ezzatullah Mehrdad, “Taliban fighters overrun an Afghan provincial capital for the first time since withdrawal of foreign forces,” Washington Post, August 6, 2021, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/08/06/afghanistan-taliban-nimruz/. By August 13, the Taliban controlled 17 of Afghanistan’s 34 provincial capitals and more than two-thirds of the country.Rahim Faiez, and Joseph Krauss, “Taliban sweep across Afghanistan’s south; take 4 more cities,” Associated Press, August 13, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-taliban-c6c8d4a41c554f36031a8131538d1402. On August 15, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled Afghanistan and thousands of Afghans poured into Kabul’s airport as Taliban fighters entered the city. By August 16, the Taliban laid siege to the presidential palace and took complete control of Kabul, after which the Taliban declared the war in Afghanistan had ended.“Taliban declares ‘war is over’ as president and diplomats flee Kabul,” Reuters, August 15, 2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/talibans-rapid-advance-across-afghanistan-2021-08-10/.

Following the takeover, Shaheen often gave statements to news outlets, reiterating the Taliban’s pledges for promoting a more inclusive and moderate government. Among his statements, Shaheen claimed the Taliban would not seek revenge on rivals, would allow girls and women uninterrupted access to school and public spaces, and would not enforce the burqa but would mandate the hijab.“Meet Suhail Shaheen: Taliban's 'soft-spoken, calm' spokesperson named as UN envoy,” First Post, September 22, 2021, https://www.firstpost.com/world/meet-suhail-shaheen-talibans-soft-spoken-calm-spokesperson-named-as-un-envoy-9986771.html; “Read What The Taliban Told NPR About Their Plans For Afghanistan,” NPR, August 18, 2021, https://www.npr.org/2021/08/18/1028780816/transcript-taliban-spokesman-suhail-shaheen-interview.

On September 7, 2021, the Taliban announced the official appointments within their caretaker government. The government is exclusively male, with many positions filled with veterans from their hardline movement in the early nineties.Matthieu Aikins and Jim Huylebroek, “Taliban Appoint Stalwarts to Top Government Posts,” New York Times, September 7, 2021, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/07/world/asia/taliban-women-protest-kabul-afghanistan.html; Kathy Gannon, “Taliban form all-male Afghan government of old guard members,” Associated Press, September 8, 2021, https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-pakistan-afghanistan-arrests-islamabad-d50b1b490d27d32eb20cc11b77c12c87; “Taliban forms 33-member cabinet in Afghanistan: Full list,” Hindustan Times, September 8, 2021, https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/taliban-forms-33-member-cabinet-in-afghanistan-full-list-101631066722518.html. On September 21, the Taliban announced the nomination of Shaheen as Afghanistan’s U.N. ambassador. If the nomination is accepted—which media sources believe will be highly unlikely—by the United Nations, it would signal international recognition of the hardline Islamist regime.Michelle Nichols, “Exclusive: Taliban names Afghan U.N. envoy, asks to speak to world leaders,” Reuters, September 21, 2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/exclusive-taliban-names-afghan-un-envoy-asks-speak-world-leaders-2021-09-21/.

Abdulhai Motmaen was a U.N.-sanctioned Taliban senior leader who was a close associate of and spokesperson for Taliban founder Mullah Mohammed Omar.“Security Council 1988 Committee Amends Six Entries on Its Sanctions List,” United Nations, May 16, 2014, https://www.un.org/press/en/2014/sc11400.doc.htm.

A member of the Kharoti tribe, Motmaen is a veteran of the Taliban movement. Motmaen served both as the spokesperson of the Taliban regime and as the director of the information and culture department in Kandahar during the Taliban’s first reign from the 1990s until 2001.“Security Council 1988 Committee Amends Six Entries on Its Sanctions List,” United Nations, May 16, 2014, https://www.un.org/press/en/2014/sc11400.doc.htm. As a senior spokesman for the Taliban, Motmaen delivered Taliban foreign policy statements.“COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING DECISION 2014/142/CFSP of 14 March 2014 implementing Decision 2011/486/CFSP concerning restrictive measures directed against certain individuals, groups, undertakings and entities in view of the situation in Afghanistan,” Official Journal of the European Union, March 14, 2014, https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32014D0142&from=PL.

Following the fall of the Taliban in 2001, Motmaen maintained his status as a member of the Taliban Supreme Council and from at least 2007, Motmaen served as the spokesperson for Omar.“Security Council 1988 Committee Amends Six Entries on Its Sanctions List,” United Nations, May 16, 2014, https://www.un.org/press/en/2014/sc11400.doc.htm. Given Motmaen’s role within the Taliban, the United Nations Security Council sanctioned Motmaen on February 23, 2001, and the U.K. Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation sanctioned Motmaen on April 2 of that year.“Security Council 1988 Committee Amends Six Entries on Its Sanctions List,” United Nations, May 16, 2014, https://www.un.org/press/en/2014/sc11400.doc.htm; “Consolidated List of Financial Sanctions Targets in the UK,” Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation HM Treasury, February 1, 2021, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/957420/afghanistan.pdf.

On January 23, 2021, the Taliban announced the death of Motmaen who had succumbed to a prolonged illness.“Security Council 1988 Committee Amends Six Entries on Its Sanctions List,” United Nations, May 16, 2014, https://www.un.org/press/en/2014/sc11400.doc.htm.

Abu Ubaida, born Hudayfa Samir Abdullah al-Kahlout, is the spokesman of the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas. Ubaida is part of the brigades’ senior command and has spoken on behalf of the brigades for more than a decade.Lt. Col. Jonathan D. Halevi, “Hamas’ Strategy Revealed,” Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, 2014, https://jcpa.org/hamas-strategies/.

The Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades comprise Hamas’s military wing. Created in 1991 with the reported aim to block negotiations between Israel and the PLO, the wing is named after a Muslim preacher who, in 1930, formed the “Black Hand,” an anti-Zionist and anti-British organization.Jack Khoury, “Jabari deputy likely to be Hamas’ next military commander,” Haaretz, November 25, 2012, http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/jabari-deputy-likely-to-be-hamas-next-military-commander.premium-1.480253. It is uncertain when Ubaida was named spokesman of the brigades. However, media sources have referred to Ubaida as the official Qassam Brigades spokesman since at least 2007.“Explosion in Gaza City as Israeli planes pound Hamas targets,” Irish Examiner, May 18, 2007, https://www.irishexaminer.com/world/arid-30311258.html. Since then, Ubaida has delivered numerous statements on behalf of the brigades, including words of support for Palestinian resistance of Israeli occupation as well as claims of responsibility and threats for terror attacks against Israeli soldiers and civilians.“Hamas' Military Wing,” IDF, https://www.idf.il/en/minisites/hamas/hamas/hamas-military-wing/; “Hamas fired "defensively" at Israelis in Gaza,” Reuters, March 26, 2010, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-palestinians-israel-violence-hamas/hamas-fired-defensively-at-israelis-in-gaza-idUSTRE62P2VT20100326.

In a 2010 interview, Ubaida claimed that he joined Hamas as part of the resistance movement against “the Zionist occupation of Palestinian lands.”Nilantha Ilangamuwa, “Interview With Abu Obeida,” Countercurrents, June 22, 2010, https://countercurrents.org/obeida220610.htm. The Qassam Brigades, under the leadership of Mohammed Deif, have carried out many attacks on Israeli targets. Attack techniques have included suicide bus bombings, soldier kidnappings, and the digging of tunnel networks to launch attacks inside Israeli territory.Sudarsan Raghavan, “Mohammed Deif, the Shadowy Figure Who Heads Hamas’s Military Wing,” Washington Post, August 02, 2014, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/mohammed-deif-the-shadowy-figure-who-heads-hamass-military-wing/2014/08/02/ed68c46e-1a85-11e4-85b6-c1451e622637_story.html?utm_term=.4af3eb17cb12; Joe Truzman, “Latest al-Qassam Brigades publication touts its military advancements,” Long War Journal, March 21, 2021, https://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2021/03/latest-al-qassam-brigades-publication-touts-its-military-advancements.php.

In May 2021, violent altercations significantly erupted between Israeli forces and Hamas. On May 1, 2021, the Jerusalem District Court ruled that at least 13 Palestinian families must vacate their homes in Sheikh Jarrah in a legal dispute over the original rights to the properties and rent payments.Linah Alsaafin, “What is happening in occupied East Jerusalem’s Sheikh Jarrah?,” Al Jazeera, May 1, 2021, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/5/1/what-is-happening-in-occupied-east-jerusalems-sheikh-jarrah; “Palestinian shot dead after car rams Israeli police in Jerusalem,” Al Jazeera, May 16, 2021, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/5/16/palestinian-shot-dead-after-car-rams-israeli-police-in-jerusalem. Riots broke out in Jerusalem and around the Al-Aqsa Mosque, sparking police responses. The supreme court was due to make a ruling in the case on May 9 but delayed its decision because of the violence.Aaron Boxerman, “Supreme Court delays session on Sheikh Jarrah evictions amid Jerusalem violence,” Times of Israel, May 9, 2021, https://www.timesofisrael.com/supreme-court-delays-session-on-sheikh-jarrah-evictions-amid-jerusalem-tensions/; Hadas Gold, “Israeli Supreme Court delays hearing on Palestinian evictions from East Jerusalem neighborhood,” CNN, May 9, 2021, https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/09/middleeast/jerusalem-sheikh-jarrah-unrest/index.html. Given the rising tension in Sheikh Jarrah, Hamas intervened and began to launch rocket attacks on Israel on May 10, joining with Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) in firing more than 4,000 rockets at Israeli population centers over the next two weeks. Ubaida has championed these demonstrations and attacks and in a speech released on al-Qassam’s Telegram account, called for all Palestinians to “rise to battle in every field.”Alex MacDonald, “Hamas commander hails 'unity' of Palestinian struggle,” Middle East Eye, May 13, 2021, https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/hamas-armed-wing-commander-hails-unity-palestinians-al-aqsa-struggle. Ubaida claimed Hamas launched rocket strikes on Israel bigger than any seen since Israel’s 1948 Independence War.Anna Ahronheim, Tovah Lazaroff, Tzvi Joffre, and Sarah Ben-Nun, “IDF preps for ground invasion as rockets continue to pound Israel,” Jerusalem Post, May 14, 2021, https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/israel-striking-gaza-in-response-to-rocket-barrage-directed-at-jerusalem-667776.

Abu Hamza al-Qurashi was the spokesman for ISIS. He began serving as spokesman in October 2019, making major announcements for the terror group.Rukmini Callimachi and Eric Schmitt, “Isis Names New Leader as It Confirms Al-Bagdadi’s death,” New York Times, October 31, 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/31/world/middleeast/isis-al-baghdadi-dead.html; “Islamic State names its new leader as Abu Ibrahim al-Hashemi,” BBC News, October 31, 2019, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50254785. On March 10, 2022, ISIS released an audio recording confirming the death of Qurashi.“IS Names New Leader, Confirms Death Of Abu Ibrahim Al-Qurashi,” Agence France Presse, March 10, 2022, https://www.barrons.com/news/is-names-new-leader-confirms-death-of-abu-ibrahim-al-qurashi-01646930407?tesla=y.

Qurashi replaced former ISIS spokesman Abu Hasan al-Muhajir, who was killed in a U.S. airstrike in late October 2019 in Syria shortly after the death of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.Paul Cruickshank and Tim Lister, “Baghdadi’s successor likely to be Iraqi religious scholar,” CNN, October 29, 2019, https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/28/politics/isis-leadership-contender-al-mawla/index.html; Isabel Coles, Nazih Osseiran, and Jessica Donati, “Islamic State Spokesman Killed in U.S. Airstrike,” Wall Street Journal, October 28, 2019, https://www.wsj.com/articles/islamic-state-spokesman-targeted-in-u-s-airstrike-say-kurds-11572268364; “Islamic State group names its new leader as Abu Ibrahim al-Hashemi,” BBC News, October 31, 2019, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50254785. On October 31, 2019, Qurashi announced Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Quraishi—a.k.a. Amir Muhammad Sa’id Abdal-Rahman al-Mawla—as the new leader of ISIS. He declared that ISIS’s shura council had met quickly after Baghdadi’s death to select his replacement and called on Muslims to pledge allegiance to the new leader.Rukmini Callimachi and Eric Schmitt, “Isis Names New Leader as It Confirms Al-Bagdadi’s death,” New York Times, October 31, 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/31/world/middleeast/isis-al-baghdadi-dead.html; “Islamic State names its new leader as Abu Ibrahim al-Hashemi,” BBC News, October 31, 2019, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-50254785.

On January 27, 2020, Qurashi delivered an audio speech, distributed by ISIS’s al-Furqan Media, calling for ISIS’s followers around the world to travel to the nearest ISIS province and join a training camp. Qurashi called for the slaughter of “the Jews inside Palestine and outside of Palestine” and wherever they can be found. Qurashi further called on followers to increase strikes against ISIS’s enemies using snipers, IEDs, silencers, and boobytraps.“ISIS Spokesman Dismisses Trump’s Declarations Of Annihilating ISIS, Declares War On Israel: 'Oh Soldiers Of The Caliphate Everywhere... Go For The Israeli Settlements And Marketplaces; Turn Them Into Lands For Testing Your Weapons... Attack The Jews And Slaughter Them,’” MEMRI, January 27, 2020, https://www.memri.org/reports/isis-spokesman-dismisses-trumps-declarations-annihilating-isis-declares-war-israel-oh.

On May 28, 2020, Qurashi released a message extending greetings from Mawla and calling for ISIS’s followers to continue their war of attrition.Hassan Hassan, Twitter post, May 28, 2020, 11:38 a.m., https://twitter.com/hxhassan/status/1266031106253565958. Qurashi referred to the novel coronavirus COVID-19 as a divine punishment for the “crusaders” who are now facing the same misery ISIS has faced through lockdowns and bodies in the streets. Qurashi said the virus has distanced ISIS’s enemies and kept them occupied and promised “big changes in the region that’ll offer greater opportunities than” ISIS “previously had in the past decade.”Hassan Hassan, Twitter post, May 28, 2019, 10:54 a.m., https://twitter.com/hxhassan/status/1266019995659702273; Hassan Hassan, Twitter post, May 28, 2019, 11:01 a.m., https://twitter.com/hxhassan/status/1266021717169917959; Hassan Hassan, Twitter post, May 28, 2019, 11: 34 a.m., https://twitter.com/hxhassan/status/1266030188934115333.

Qurashi released an audio recording on October 18, 2020, through ISIS’s official Telegram channel calling for the overthrow of “tyrannical” Arab rulers. The statement was released in the midst of normalization agreements between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain with Israel. The move by the UAE and Bahrain promises complete normalization of diplomatic, commercial, security, and other relations with Israel in exchange for Jerusalem suspending annexation of occupied West Bank territory. Qurashi further called on ISIS operatives and supporters in Saudi Arabia and Africa to attack Western citizens and interests.“Spotlight on Global Jihad (October 15-21, 2020),” The Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, October 22, 2020, https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/en/spotlight-on-global-jihad-october-15-21-2020/; “In response to normalization … ISIS calls for attacks in the...,” Al Khaleej Today, October 19, 2020, https://alkhaleejtoday.co/saudi-arabia/5139962/In-response-to-normalization-%E2%80%A6-ISIS-calls-for-attacks-in-the.html; Jonathan Hoffman, “Why Gulf nations are normalizing ties with Israel,” Washington Post, September 24, 2020, https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/09/24/why-gulf-nations-are-normalizing-ties-with-israel/; Peter Baker, Isabel Kershner, David D. Kirkpatrick and Ronen Bergman, “Israel and United Arab Emirates Strike Major Diplomatic Agreement,” August 13, 2020, https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/13/us/politics/trump-israel-united-arab-emirates-uae.html.

On June 22, 2021, ISIS released an audio message attributed to Qurashi. In the message, ISIS renewed its threats against Sunni tribal fighters aligned with the Iraqi government saying Sunni fighters should “not deceive yourselves that you are safe and that our swords can’t reach you, but we are delaying raiding your houses in the hope you repent.”Sinan Mahmoud, “ISIS issues warning to Iraqi Sunnis but struggles to regroup,” The National, June 23, 2021, https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/isis-issues-warning-to-iraqi-sunnis-but-struggles-to-regroup-1.1247357. Qurashi also hailed militants in central and northern Iraq and called for the release of “prisoners of atheists and apostates.”Sinan Mahmoud, “ISIS issues warning to Iraqi Sunnis but struggles to regroup,” The National, June 23, 2021, https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/isis-issues-warning-to-iraqi-sunnis-but-struggles-to-regroup-1.1247357.

Arabic-speaking observers suspected Qurashi was Iraqi based on his dialect.Hassan Hassan, Twitter post, May 28, 2020, 2:03 p.m., https://twitter.com/hxhassan/status/1266067678642536449.

On March 10, 2022, ISIS released an audio recording confirming the death of Qurashi as well as leader Amir Muhammad Sa’id Abdal-Rahman al-Mawla. According to the statement, the two were “killed in recent days.”“IS Names New Leader, Confirms Death Of Abu Ibrahim Al-Qurashi,” Agence France Presse, March 10, 2022, https://www.barrons.com/news/is-names-new-leader-confirms-death-of-abu-ibrahim-al-qurashi-01646930407?tesla=y.

Karim al-Nouri is former spokesman of the Iran-backed Badr Organization who unsuccessfully ran for Iraq’s parliament in 2018.“Fatah Alliance Dismisses Earlier Comments by Badr Leader Karim Nouri,” NRT, August 7, 2018, http://www.nrttv.com/en/News.aspx?id=3161&MapID=2. Between 2014 and 2018, he served as a spokesman for Iraq’s Haashid Shaabi, the umbrella group of anti-ISIS Shiite militias also known as the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF). Speaking on behalf of the Iran-supported PMF, Nouri accused the U.S.-led anti-ISIS international coalition of promulgating terrorism in Iraq and supporting ISIS.“Hashd Al-Shaabi Denies US Partnership in Liberation of Mosul,” Fars News Agency, July 1, 2015, https://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960410001122. He has also praised Iran’s support for Iraq and its stance against terrorism.“IMIS spokesman lauds Iran’s intervention in Iraq,” Baghdad Post, July 2, 2017, https://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/Story/13849/IMIS-spokesman-lauds-Iran-s-intervention-in-Iraq.

Nouri was imprisoned for five years in Iraq under Saddam Hussein in the early 1980s. After his release in 1985, he moved to Iran where he stayed for almost two decades. It was there that Nouri joined the Badr Organization. Nouri returned to Iraq in 2003 after Hussein’s fall from power, which allowed the Badr Organization to join Iraqi politics.Simona Foltyn, “One Possible Winner in the Iraqi Elections: Iran,” Nation, May 11, 2018, https://www.thenation.com/article/iraq-parliamentary-elections-iran-militia/. Nouri acted as a spokesman for Badr leader Hadi al-Amiri while he served as Iraq’s transportation minister from 2011 to 2014.Loveday Morris, “Appointment of Iraq’s new interior minister opens door to militia and Iranian influence,” Washington Post, October 18, 2014, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/appointment-of-iraqs-new-interior-minister-opens-door-to-militia-and-iranian-influence/2014/10/18/f6f2a347-d38c-4743-902a-254a169ca274_story.html; Saif Hameed and Ahmed Rasheed, “Iraq's interior minister resigns after massive Baghdad bomb attack,” Reuters, July 5, 2016, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-iraq-minister-idUSKCN0ZL1II. In September 2013, Nouri dismissed U.S. claims that Iran was using civilian planes to transport weapons to Syria to help President Bashar al-Assad in his country’s civil war. According to Nouri, Iraqi officials randomly inspect Iranian planes and have found only medicine and other aid.“Iraqi Official Stresses Civilian Nature of Iran's Air Cargoes to Syria,” Fars News Agency, September 11, 2013, https://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13920620001035, Associated Press, “Iraqi Airways takes delivery of Boeing 777,” Arab News, December 16, 2012, https://www.arabnews.com/iraqi-airways-takes-delivery-boeing-777.

After working as Amiri’s spokesman at the transportation ministry, Nouri became the spokesman for the PMF. The PMF coordinate anti-ISIS military ventures between the Syrian army and Iranian-sponsored militias.“Top Iraqi Militia Leader: Fighting for Iran under Soleimani's leadership Is “Blessing from God”,” Middle East Institute, April 5, 2017, http://www.mei.edu/publications/top-iraqi-militia-leader-fighting-iran-under-soleimanis-leadership-blessing-god; Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi, “Hashd Brigade Numbers Index,” Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi’s Blog, October 31, 2017, http://www.aymennjawad.org/2017/10/hashd-brigade-numbers-index; Ali Jawad, “Iraq rejects proposal to register Shia militia as party,” Anadolu Agency, August 29, 2016, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/iraq-rejects-proposal-to-register-shia-militia-as-party/637337. While in this role, Nouri accused both Turkey and the United States of supporting ISIS.“Turkish Military Incursions into Iraq Violation of Int’l Law: Spokesman,” Tasnim News Agency, October 3, 2016, https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2016/10/03/1203324/turkish-military-incursions-into-iraq-violation-of-int-l-law-spokesman; “Turkey sheltering Daesh militants: Iraqi cmdr.,” Press TV, December 25, 2015, https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2015/12/25/443144/Turkey-shelter-Daesh-Badr-commander-Karim-alNouri; “Hashd Al-Shaabi Denies US Partnership in Liberation of Mosul,” Fars News Agency, July 1, 2015, https://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960410001122. Nouri is staunchly anti-American. He has called the U.S. presence in Iraq both a military occupation and a provocation.Simona Foltyn, “One Possible Winner in the Iraqi Elections: Iran,” Nation, May 11, 2018, https://www.thenation.com/article/iraq-parliamentary-elections-iran-militia/. He has stated his belief that the United States is aiding ISIS“Hashd Al-Shaabi Denies US Partnership in Liberation of Mosul,” Fars News Agency, July 1, 2015, https://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13960410001122. and has threatened to resist the U.S. presence in the country.“SENIOR BADR ORGANIZATION OFFICIAL KARIM AL-NOURI THREATENS "RESPONSE BY THE RESISTANCE" FOLLOWING PRESIDENT TRUMP'S VISIT TO IRAQ,” MEMRI, December 31, 2018, https://www.memri.org/tv/senior-badr-organization-karim-nouri-americans-remain-iraq-resistance-response.

In 2017, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi barred militia members from running in the following year’s parliamentary elections.Mina Aldroubi, “Abadi bans militia leaders from Iraq elections,” National (Abu Dhabi), November 19, 2017, https://www.thenational.ae/world/mena/abadi-bans-militia-leaders-from-iraq-elections-1.677110. As a result, Nouri and other PMF members resigned their military posts. Nouri ran for Iraq’s parliament in May 2018 on the ticket of the Fatah Alliance made up of Iran-backed militias.Simona Foltyn, “Will Iraq’s Old Divisions Undermine Its New Prime Minister?,” Foreign Policy, February 5, 2019, https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/02/05/iraqs-prime-minister-faces-old-challenges-to-deliver-on-reform/; Ahmad Majidyar, “Iran-backed Fateh Alliance seeks to win or play kingmaker in upcoming Iraqi elections,” Middle East Institute, May 3, 2018, https://www.mei.edu/publications/iran-backed-fateh-alliance-seeks-win-or-play-kingmaker-upcoming-iraqi-elections. Nouri failed to win a seat in parliament.“Fatah Alliance Dismisses Earlier Comments by Badr Leader Karim Nouri,” NRT, August 7, 2018, http://www.nrttv.com/en/News.aspx?id=3161&MapID=2. Nevertheless, Nouri publicly stated that July that he and other PMF commanders were transitioning into politics. “We are going to enter parliament in civilian clothes, not uniforms,” he told the Financial Times.Andrew England, “Iraq’s Shia militias: capturing the state,” Financial Times, July 31, 2018, https://www.ft.com/content/ba4f7bb2-6d4d-11e8-852d-d8b934ff5ffa.

Nouri has seemingly fallen out of favor with the Iraqi political leadership and the Badr Organization. He has accused Iraqi political parties of enriching themselves through government ministries instead of serving the people.Simona Foltyn, “Will Iraq’s Old Divisions Undermine Its New Prime Minister?,” Foreign Policy, February 5, 2019, https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/02/05/iraqs-prime-minister-faces-old-challenges-to-deliver-on-reform/. According to the leadership of the Fatah Alliance in August 2018, Nouri no longer has an official position in the alliance or the Badr Organization.“Karim al-Nuri doesn’t represent us: Fatah Alliance,” Baghdad Post, August 7, 2018, https://www.thebaghdadpost.com/en/Story/30397/Karim-al-Nuri-doesn-t-represent-us-Fatah-Alliance. The Fatah Alliance statement alleged that Nouri’s views were “confused and paid for.”“Fatah Alliance Dismisses Earlier Comments by Badr Leader Karim Nouri,” NRT, August 7, 2018, http://www.nrttv.com/en/News.aspx?id=3161&MapID=2. The alliance further urged Iraqi media not to give Nouri any platform.“Fatah Alliance Dismisses Earlier Comments by Badr Leader Karim Nouri,” NRT, August 7, 2018, http://www.nrttv.com/en/News.aspx?id=3161&MapID=2. Nouri’s exact relationship within Badr remains unclear. That December he appeared in a televised interview in Iraq as a senior Badr official. During the interview, he threatened a “response by the resistance” to the continued American presence in Iraq.“SENIOR BADR ORGANIZATION OFFICIAL KARIM AL-NOURI THREATENS "RESPONSE BY THE RESISTANCE" FOLLOWING PRESIDENT TRUMP'S VISIT TO IRAQ,” MEMRI, December 31, 2018, https://www.memri.org/tv/senior-badr-organization-karim-nouri-americans-remain-iraq-resistance-response.