Khaled Meshaal

Khaled Meshaal is the former chief of Hamas’s political bureau and current leader of Hamas’s diaspora office.Nidal Al-mughrabi, “Hamas elects former chief Meshaal to head diaspora office,” Reuters, April 12, 2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hamas-elects-former-chief-meshaal-head-diaspora-office-2021-04-12/; Aaron Boxerman, “Khaled Mashaal tapped as Hamas’s diaspora director,” Times of Israel, April 12, 2021, https://www.timesofisrael.com/khaled-mashaal-tapped-as-hamass-international-director/. He stepped down after two terms as Hamas’s political chief following the May 6, 2017, election of deputy Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh as his successor.“Ismail Haniyeh elected new political head of Hamas,” Times of Israel, May 6, 2017, http://www.timesofisrael.com/ismail-haniyeh-elected-new-head-of-hamas/?utm_source=The+Times+of+Israel+Daily+Edition&utm_campaign=0dd24464cd-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_05_05&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_adb46cec92-0dd24464cd-55118405. Meshaal assumed leadership of the political bureau in 2004 following the assassinations of Hamas founder Ahmed Yassin and his successor, Abdel Aziz Rantisi. During his 13 years of leadership, Meshaal oversaw Hamas’s transition from a purely terrorist organization into a terrorist/political hybrid.“Khaled Meshaal Fast Facts,” CNN, October 9, 2014, http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/09/world/meast/khaled-meshaal-fast-facts/index.html. In April 2021, Meshaal was elected to lead Hamas’s diaspora office and named second-in-command of the terror group.Nidal Al-mughrabi, “Hamas elects former chief Meshaal to head diaspora office,” Reuters, April 12, 2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hamas-elects-former-chief-meshaal-head-diaspora-office-2021-04-12/; Aaron Boxerman, “Khaled Mashaal tapped as Hamas’s diaspora director,” Times of Israel, April 12, 2021, https://www.timesofisrael.com/khaled-mashaal-tapped-as-hamass-international-director/.

Despite Hamas’s control of Gaza, Meshaal has never lived there. He resides in Qatar, from where he acted as the public face of Hamas for more than a decade. Reports in January 2015 speculated that Qatar would expel Meshaal and other Hamas leaders as part of a plan to align with its regional allies in the fight against terrorism.“Report: Qatar to banish Hamas’ Meshaal, who will relocate to Turkey,” Jerusalem Post, January 6, 2015, http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Report-Qatar-to-banish-Hamas-political-bureau-chief-Mashaal-who-will-relocate-to-Turkey-386808. Qatar denied the reports and Qatar’s top diplomat called Meshaal a “dear guest” in his country.Abdullah Rebhy, “Qatar denies it plans to expel Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal,” Associated Press, January 12, 2015, http://bigstory.ap.org/article/04fc2928f3e04a77a1fdd45c24085397/qatar-denies-it-plans-expel-hamas-leader-khaled-mashaal.

Reports emerged in March 2016 that Meshaal was struggling to maintain power. According to Israeli analysts, Meshaal faced a challenge to his authority from Yahya Sinwar, a co-founder of Hamas’s Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades who had reportedly orchestrated power shifts within the Gaza-based Hamas leadership. Sinwar has advocated closer ties with Iran, which has continued funding the al-Qassam Brigades while cutting funding to Hamas as a whole. Meshaal, however, tried to align the organization with Saudi Arabia and Egypt.Avi Issacharoff, “Inside Hamas, a bitter and very personal battle for control,” Times of Israel, March 19, 2016, http://www.timesofisrael.com/inside-hamas-a-bitter-and-very-personal-battle-for-control/;
Avi Issacharoff, “Rising new Hamas leader is all too familiar to Israel,” Times of Israel, December 18, 2015, http://www.timesofisrael.com/rising-new-hamas-leader-is-all-too-familiar-to-israel/.

On May 6, 2017, Hamas’s Shura Council elected Haniyeh to succeed Meshaal.“Ismail Haniyeh elected new political head of Hamas,” Times of Israel, May 6, 2017, http://www.timesofisrael.com/ismail-haniyeh-elected-new-head-of-hamas/?utm_source=The+Times+of+Israel+Daily+Edition&utm_campaign=0dd24464cd-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_05_05&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_adb46cec92-0dd24464cd-55118405. As one of his last acts in office, Meshaal announced Hamas’s new political program at the Sheraton Hotel in Doha on May 1, 2017. Meshaal introduced the new political document as an updated guide to Hamas’s policies, though it did not replace the group’s 1988 charter. While the document accepts the idea of a Palestinian state along the pre-1967 lines, Hamas withholds recognition of Israel and 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 May 2, 2017, 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 his farewell address, Meshaal said that Haniyeh and Hamas’s political bureau would continue to focus on the “key” issues of “liberation, Jerusalem, prisoners, right of refugees, lifting the siege imposed on Gaza, and achieving internal unity.”“Khalid Meshal's speech during the inauguration of the new head of Hamas political bureau, Ismail Haniya ( an excerpt),” Hamas website, May 6, 2017, http://hamas.ps/en/post/694/khalid-meshal-s-speech-during-the-inauguration-of-the-new-head-of-hamas-political-bureau-ismail-haniya-(-an-excerpt).

In March 2021, Hamas began holding secretive internal elections. Meshaal mounted a challenge to Haniyeh for leadership of Hamas’s political bureau. On April 12, Hamas elected Meshaal to lead its office in the diaspora and named second-in-command of Hamas. Haniyeh remained Hamas’s overall leader. Meshaal remains based in Qatar.Nidal Al-mughrabi, “Hamas elects former chief Meshaal to head diaspora office,” Reuters, April 12, 2021, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hamas-elects-former-chief-meshaal-head-diaspora-office-2021-04-12/; Aaron Boxerman, “Khaled Mashaal tapped as Hamas’s diaspora director,” Times of Israel, April 12, 2021, https://www.timesofisrael.com/khaled-mashaal-tapped-as-hamass-international-director/.

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 labeled the attack Operation Al-Aqsa Flood.“Operation Al Aqsa Flood,” Hamas Online Telegram channel, October 7, 2023. Hamas killed more than 1,400 Israelis and took hostage approximately 240 Israeli civilians and soldiers in Gaza.Peter Saidel and Dov Lieber, “Hamas Took More Than 200 Hostages From Israel. Here’s What to Know.,” Wall Street Journal, November 6, 2023, https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/hamas-hostages-israel-gaza-41432124. Since the attack, Meshaal has been vocal in international media defending Hamas and calling for the Muslim world to join Hamas in its fight against Israel. On October 11, Meshaal called for a Muslim uprising across the world against Israel on October 13, particularly in countries bordering Israel. He called on Muslims and all those who teach jihad to turn theory into violent practice.“Former Hamas chief calls for protests, neighbours to join war against Israel,” Reuters, October 11, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/former-hamas-chief-calls-protests-neighbours-join-war-against-israel-2023-10-11/. Speaking to the Saudi-based Al-Arabiya news network on October 19, Meshaal called the October 7 attack a calculated move by Hamas, which understood the consequences. He revealed Hamas was holding hostage multiple Israeli soldiers in Gaza. He also denied that Hamas intentionally targeted civilians and accused the West of creating false equivalencies between Hamas and ISIS.“Exclusive: ‘Israel will kill us, whether we resist or not,’ says former Hamas chief,” Al Arabiya, last updated October 21, 2023, https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2023/10/19/-Israel-is-killing-us-whether-we-resist-or-not-says-former-Hamas-chief. Contradicting Meshaal’s claims, written orders recovered from the bodies of dead Hamas fighters as well as video testimonials of Hamas attackers showed that Hamas fighters had been directed to kill as many people as possible.Dov Lieber and David S. Cloud, “Hamas Fighters’ Orders: ‘Kill as Many People as Possible,’” Wall Street Journal, October 14, 2023, https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/hamas-fighters-orders-kill-as-many-people-as-possible-2a6abff8.

On July 31, 2024, Haniyeh was killed in his Tehran, Iran guesthouse in what Hamas called a “treacherous Zionist raid on his residence in Tehran.”“Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh killed in Iran, Hamas says in statement,” Reuters, July 30, 2024, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hamas-chief-ismail-haniyeh-killed-iran-hamas-says-statement-2024-07-31/. Haniyeh was in Tehran for the July 30 inauguration of the country’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian.Abby Sewell, “Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh is assassinated in Tehran,” Associated Press, last updated July 30, 2024, https://apnews.com/article/iran-hamas-israel-30968a7acb31cd8b259de9650014b779. During Haniyeh’s August 2 funeral in Qatar, Meshaal warned that Haniyeh’s death would energize Hamas in its mission to free Palestine. Meshaal also said that Hamas would make no concessions over its principles, including not recognizing Israel.Tala Ramadan, Jana Choukeir, and Nidal Al-Mughrabi, “Slain Hamas leader Haniyeh buried in Qatar amid vows of revenge against Israel,” Reuters, August 2, 2024, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/funeral-slain-hamas-leader-haniyeh-be-held-qatar-2024-08-02/. Reuters initially reported on July 31 that Hamas had selected Meshaal to succeed Haniyeh.Nidal Al-Mughrabi, “Khaled Meshaal, who survived Israeli assassination attempt, tipped to be new Hamas leader,” Reuters, July 31, 2024, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/khaled-meshaal-who-survived-israeli-assassination-attempt-tipped-be-new-hamas-2024-07-31/. On August 6, Hamas officially named Sinwar as Haniyeh’s replacement. Meshaal endorsed Sinwar “in loyalty to Gaza and its people, who are waging the battle of the Flood of Al-Aqsa.”“Hamas names Oct 7 mastermind Sinwar as leader after Haniyeh assassination,” Reuters, August 6, 2024, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hamas-names-gaza-leader-yahya-sinwar-chief-following-haniyeh-killing-statement-2024-08-06/.

On February 1, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice issued an indictment charging Meshaal 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 Meshaal, the indictment charged Mohammed Deif, Marwan Issa, Ali Baraka, Sinwar, and Haniyeh. 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.

Also Known As

Extremist entity
Hamas
Read Threat Report
Type(s) of Organization:
Political, religious, social service provider, terrorist, violent
Ideologies and Affiliations:
Islamist, jihadist, Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated group, pan-Islamist, Qutbist, Sunni
Position(s):
Head of Hamas’s Diaspora Office; Deputy Leader; Former Chief of Hamas’s Political Bureau

Hamas is a U.S.-designated terrorist organization which has killed hundreds of Israeli citizens, as well as Americans, in suicide bombings and other terrorist attacks. Hamas has governed the Gaza Strip since it violently expelled the Palestinian Authority in 2007. 

  • Designations
  • Rhetoric

Australia

United Kingdom

United States

  • The U.S. Department of the Treasury designated “Khalid Mishaal” as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist on August 22, 2003.“U.S. Designates Five Charities Funding Hamas and Six Senior Hamas Leaders as Terrorist Entities,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, August 22, 2003, https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/js672.aspx.

Oct. 19, 2023

Asked in an Al Arabiya interview about Hamas’s relationship with Hezbollah and other Arab nations:

“Outside of Palestine, we are grateful to whoever is standing by us. Hezbollah in Lebanon. The Lebanese front is currently active, we are grateful for that, whether it is by the Lebanese, the Palestinians or anyone. Hezbollah has an active role there. Those clashes in South Lebanon are good, and support our cause, but the scope of the battle the title is ‘Al-Aqsa Flood’ and when such a heinous crime is perpetrated against Gaza greater things are needed but we should not single out Lebanon and Hezbollah, let’s focus on countries bordering Israel. The great Egypt has waged large wars. The Egyptians are boiling [with anger]. We salute the Egyptian people and want more. I demand a more powerful position by Egyptian leaders.”“Exclusive: ‘Israel will kill us, whether we resist or not,’ says former Hamas chief,” Al Arabiya, last updated October 21, 2023, https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2023/10/19/-Israel-is-killing-us-whether-we-resist-or-not-says-former-Hamas-chief.

Oct. 19, 2023

Asked in an Al Arabiya interview if he will apologize for what was done to Israeli civilians during Hamas’s October 7 attack:

“With all due respect, your question, forgive me for saying this, apologies should be demanded from Israel. You asked me a question and I am answering you clearly. Hamas does not intentionally kill civilians. It focuses on soldiers. Period.”“Exclusive: ‘Israel will kill us, whether we resist or not,’ says former Hamas chief,” Al Arabiya, last updated October 21, 2023, https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2023/10/19/-Israel-is-killing-us-whether-we-resist-or-not-says-former-Hamas-chief.

Oct. 19, 2023

Asked in an Al Arabiya interview about Hamas targeting Israeli civilians during its October 7 attack:

“I told you, my dear sister, that Hamas, the Al-Qassam Brigades and our military focus their resistance on the occupation forces, on the soldiers, but in all wars, there are some civilian victims. We are not responsible for them.”“Exclusive: ‘Israel will kill us, whether we resist or not,’ says former Hamas chief,” Al Arabiya, last updated October 21, 2023, https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2023/10/19/-Israel-is-killing-us-whether-we-resist-or-not-says-former-Hamas-chief.

Oct. 19, 2023

Asked in an Al Arabiya interview about comparisons between Hamas and ISIS after Hamas’s October 7 attack:

“This accusation is fabricated by Netanyahu and unfortunately, the West is complicit. Nations, my dear sister, are not easily liberated. The Russians sacrificed 30 million people in World War II, in order to be free of Hitler’s attack. The Vietnamese sacrificed 3.5 million people until they defeated the Americans. Afghanistan sacrificed millions of martyrs to defeat the USSR and then the U.S. The Algerian people sacrificed six million martyrs over 130 years. The Palestinian people are just like any other nation. No nation is liberated without sacrifices.”“Exclusive: ‘Israel will kill us, whether we resist or not,’ says former Hamas chief,” Al Arabiya, last updated October 21, 2023, https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2023/10/19/-Israel-is-killing-us-whether-we-resist-or-not-says-former-Hamas-chief.

Oct. 19, 2023

In an Al Arabiya interview:

“That ingenious moment when the Al-Qassam Brigades managed to surprise the enemy and all the intelligence agencies in the world had to be kept a secret. We did not embark on a new type of resistance. It is all part of the atmosphere of resistance. When a certain measure is taken, it is in the context of the legitimate that our people have agreed on.”“Exclusive: ‘Israel will kill us, whether we resist or not,’ says former Hamas chief,” Al Arabiya, last updated October 21, 2023, https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2023/10/19/-Israel-is-killing-us-whether-we-resist-or-not-says-former-Hamas-chief.

Oct. 13, 2023

“[We must] head to the squares and streets of the Arab and Islamic world on Friday. Tribes of Jordan, sons of Jordan, brothers and sisters of Jordan... This is a moment of truth and the borders are close to you, you all know your responsibility. To all scholars who teach jihad... to all who teach and learn, this is a moment for the application (of theories).”“Former Hamas chief calls for protests, neighbours to join war against Israel,” Reuters, October 11, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/former-hamas-chief-calls-protests-neighbours-join-war-against-israel-2023-10-11/.

Aug. 25, 2014

"What is the difference between what Netanyahu, [Israeli Defense Minister Moshe] Yaalon, and [Israel Defense Forces chief of staff Benny] Gantz are doing—killing thousands of civilians, children, women, entire neighborhoods, targeting mosques, destroying hospitals and [United Nations Relief and Works Agency] schools—what's the difference between that and what the Nazis did in the 1930s and '40s? And what Hitler did. This is the real holocaust.”Michael Isikoff, “In Personal Plea, Top Hamas Leader Calls on Obama to Stop ‘Holocaust’ in Gaza,” Yahoo News, August 25, 2014, http://news.yahoo.com/in-personal-plea--top-hamas-leader-calls-on-obama-to-stop--holocaust--in-gaza-180315615.html.

Nov. 2012

“The popularly elected Egyptian leadership is giving everyone a lesson. The Egyptian leadership has shown that it is taking a new course and adopting a new vision. The era when Israel did what it pleased is over.” David D. Kirkpatrick and Mayy El Sheikh, “Israeli Attacks Are Test of Loyalty for Egypt’s Morsi,” New York Times, November 15, 2012, http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/16/world/middleeast/israels-gaza-strikes-test-egyptian-leader.html.

Nov. 2012

“The weapons of Palestinian resistance were partially manufactured inside the Gaza Strip, and the rest was supplied by certain countries, including Iran.” “Iran Supplied Gaza with Weapons - Hamas Political Leader,” RIA Novosti, November 22, 2012, http://en.ria.ru/world/20121122/177653686.html.

Nov. 2012

“Israel committed itself to lift the blockade of the Gaza Strip and stop killings. The latest Israeli aggression showed that resistance is the ideal choice for establishing a Palestinian state. The results we have achieved are a victory for all Palestinians and a victory for the Arab nation.” “Iran Supplied Gaza with Weapons - Hamas Political Leader,” RIA Novosti, November 22, 2012, http://en.ria.ru/world/20121122/177653686.html.

Mar. 2008

“We agree on the [Palestinian] state with the borders of June 4, 1967, Jerusalem as its capital, fully sovereign without settlements, the right of return, but without the recognition of Israel.” “Hamas: No Plan to Recognize Israel,” CNN, April 21, 2008, http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/04/21/carter.hamas/index.html.

Mar. 2008

“We don't deny the Holocaust, but we believe the Holocaust was exaggerated by the Zionist movement to whip people.” Tim Marshall, “Hamas Leader Talks Exclusively To Sky,” Sky News, March 31, 2008, http://news.sky.com/story/591531.

Mar. 2006

“The Israeli state is the aggressor and the occupier. The Palestinians are the victims, so who should recognize whom?” Steven Lee Myers and Greg Myre, “Hamas Delegation Visits Moscow for a Crash Course in Diplomacy,” New York Times, March 4, 2006, http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/04/international/middleeast/04hamas.html.

Feb. 6, 2006

“We will stop targeting Israeli civilians when Israel stops its aggression against Palestinian civilians.”“SPIEGEL Interview with Hamas Leader Khaled Mashaal: ‘Our People Will Never Rest,’” Spiegel Online, February 6, 2006, http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/spiegel-interview-with-hamas-leader-khaled-mashaal-our-people-will-never-rest-a-399153.html.

Feb. 3, 2006

“Before Israel dies, it must be humiliated and degraded. Allah willing, before they die, they will experience humiliation and degradation every day.” ““Hamas Leader Khaled Mash’al at a Damascus Mosque: The Nation of Islam Will Sit at the Throne of the World and the West Will Be Full of Remorse When It Is Too Late,” MEMRI - The Middle East Media Research Institute, February 3, 2006, http://www.memritv.org/clip_transcript/en/1024.htm.

Feb. 3, 2006

“We say to this West, which does not act reasonably, and does not learn its lessons: By Allah, you will be defeated. “Hamas Leader Khaled Mash’al at a Damascus Mosque: The Nation of Islam Will Sit at the Throne of the World and the West Will Be Full of Remorse When It Is Too Late,” MEMRI - The Middle East Media Research Institute, February 3, 2006, http://www.memritv.org/clip_transcript/en/1024.htm.

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Daily Dose

Extremists: Their Words. Their Actions.

Fact:

On October 7, 2023, Hamas invaded southern Israel where, in the space of eight hours, hundreds of armed terrorists perpetrated mass crimes of brutality, rape, and torture against men, women and children. In the biggest attack on Jewish life in a single day since the Holocaust, 1,200 were killed, and 251 were taken hostage into Gaza—where 101 remain. One year on, antisemitic incidents have increased by record numbers. 

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