The sudden death of Yahya Sinwar, the kingpin Hamas, has shaken the organization and triggered discussions on its future leadership. The name most likely to replace him is Khaled Meshal, a senior Hamas leader based in Qatar. Meshal, known for his role in managing the financial aspects of Hamas, would bring a different style of leadership to the table. This development could have profound consequences for both Hamas and the broader Middle Eastern political landscape.

Khaled Meshal was born in 1956 in Silwad, a small village near Ramallah in the West Bank. He first became involved in Palestinian politics while studying in Kuwait, joining the Muslim Brotherhood and later Hamas. He became a prominent figure in the organization in the 1990s, when he was appointed the head of Hamas’ political bureau, a position he held for over two decades.

During his time as a senior leader, Meshal worked to build diplomatic relationships with regional powers, including Iran, Syria, and Qatar, which provided Hamas with financial and political backing. Meshal survived an Israeli assassination attempt in 1997, which further cemented his importance in the organization. His leadership, however, has largely been from exile, as he has been based in various countries, including Syria, and most recently,........

© Blitz