Khaled Meshaal: The Unyielding Figure in Hamas' Leadership

Khaled Meshaal, poised to become the new Hamas leader, rose to global prominence in 1997 after surviving a botched Israeli assassination attempt. For many Palestinians, he symbolizes the resistance against Israeli occupation. Meshaal's complex relations with regional powers and his stance on Israel have shaped his long tenure within Hamas.

Khaled Meshaal, anticipated to ascend as the new Hamas leader, first captured worldwide attention in 1997 following a failed Israeli assassination effort in Amman, Jordan. The incident significantly strained Jordan-Israel relations.

Ordered by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the botched hit led to Jordan's King Hussein demanding the antidote for the poison used against Meshaal, threatening to nullify Jordan's peace treaty with Israel. Israel complied, also releasing Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, who was later assassinated in Gaza.

Meshaal, 68, has held a pivotal role in Hamas since the late 1990s, significantly influencing the Palestinian militant group's international diplomacy. Expected to replace Ismail Haniyeh, Meshaal's tenure has been marked by complex regional alliances and a persistently contentious stance toward Israel.