In a retaliatory move by the Israeli forces, the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, and Mohammed Dief, the terrorist group’s military commander, has left Hamas in a state of turmoil. Amidst the leadership crisis, Khaled Meshaal, 68, is emerging as the likely leader of the terrorist organisation. Known for his resilience, Meshaal survived an assassination attempt by Israeli agents in 1997, earning him the moniker “the living martyr.”
Hamas confirmed Haniyeh’s death in an Israeli strike in Tehran, though Israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement. Meshaal, a prominent terror figure in Hamas, has a long history with the organization.
Meshaal joined the radical Muslim Brotherhood and became an active member of Hamas after its founding in 1987 and has lived in several countries, including Kuwait, Jordan, Syria, and currently Qatar, where he heads Hamas’ “external” politburo.
Meshaal gained international attention after surviving an Israeli assassination attempt in 1997. Israeli agents injected him with poison in Amman, Jordan, leading to a diplomatic crisis. The incident forced then-Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to provide an antidote, saving Meshaal’s life and inadvertently boosting his stature within Hamas.
As the head of Hamas’ politburo from 1996 to 2017, Meshaal played a crucial role in shaping the terror outfit. Despite being labeled a terrorist by Israel and the United States, he is known for his diplomatic skills and has represented Hamas in talks with various governments, including Egypt, Russia, and the Arab League. Known for maintaining a hardline stance against Israel, he is considered a more moderate figure compared to other Hamas leaders
Gaining Support in India:
After the October 7 attacks in Israel, Meshaal’s influence surged as he called for unity against Israel. He made headlines in India by addressing a virtual pro-Palestine rally in Kerala’s Malappuram on October 27, 2023.
Organized by the Solidarity Youth Movement, the youth wing of Jamaat-e-Islami, the rally saw Meshaal urging Muslims to unite for Gaza. “Together we will defeat Zionists and we will stand united for Gaza,” he said, justifying the massacre of Israelis and rallying support from extremist Muslim groups in India. This move was seen as an attempt to disrupt the peace and harmony in India, gaining him support from certain factions within the country.
Following this move, the kerala government was criticised by the central and also by the nation for allowing a terrorist to host a virtual rally and upon that CM Vijayan not taking any action against the meet host and the attendees
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