Khaled Meshaal Expected to Lead Hamas Following Haniyeh's Assassination

Khaled Meshaal, tipped to be the new Hamas leader, first came into the global spotlight in 1997 when Israeli agents attempted to assassinate him by injecting poison on a street in Amman, Jordan. This botched operation, ordered by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, sparked significant outrage from Jordan's then-King Hussein. He threatened severe repercussions, including the execution of the would-be assassins and the potential annulment of Jordan's peace treaty with Israel, unless an antidote was provided. Israel complied, saving Meshaal and agreeing to release Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, who was later assassinated in Gaza in 2004.

Meshaal, 68, has been a key figure in Hamas since the late 1990s, becoming its political leader in exile a year before the assassination attempt. This role allowed him to travel and represent Hamas internationally, a luxury not afforded to many other Hamas officials due to Israeli travel restrictions. Despite his strained relations with Iran over his support for the Sunni Muslim-led revolt against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2011, Meshaal is expected to succeed Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated in Tehran early Wednesday. Hamas and Iran have vowed retribution against Israel for Haniyeh's killing.

Meshaal has navigated the complexities of Hamas leadership from abroad, primarily residing in Qatar after stints in Jordan and Syria. His leadership has been marked by efforts to balance pragmatic approaches to Israel with the group's foundational goal of Palestinian statehood. Although Hamas' 1988 charter calls for Israel's destruction, Meshaal has at times signalled a willingness to accept a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders in exchange for a long-term ceasefire, though he rejects the idea of a permanent peace deal.

Meshaal's prominence in Hamas is set against a backdrop of ongoing conflict. The recent assassination of Haniyeh and subsequent calls for retaliation underscore the volatile nature of the region. Meshaal has been a steadfast figure in keeping the Palestinian cause in the international spotlight, urging Arab and Muslim nations to join the struggle against Israel. His leadership comes at a critical time, as Hamas continues to navigate its role amid international diplomacy failures and ongoing hostilities with Israel.