Khaled Meshaal
Kidnap Plotter Indicted: Still Looks Like 'Lone Cell'
There’s still no evidence that the leadership of Hamas — or anyone else outside the Qawasmeh family — had any knowledge of the June kidnappings.
Defiant Hamas Leader Calls Gaza War 'Milestone'
Hamas will not cease its resistance against Israel until all its demands are met, the group’s overall leader Khaled Meshaal said on Thursday, adding that the latest conflict over Gaza was only “a milestone to reaching our objective”.
Cairo Truce Hopes Fading As Sides Stiffen Terms
Indications are mounting that the indirect Israeli-Palestinian cease-fire talks in Cairo could be heading for failure. J.J. Goldberg blames extremists on both sides.
Israel's Latest Fib: 'Gaza Tunnels Were Surprise'
Israel claims it ratcheted up the Gaza war because Hamas tunnels were so extensive. But J.J. Goldberg shares news that it knew about them all along — and didn’t act.
Is This Best Defense Israel Can Muster?
J.J. Goldberg was looking forward to hearing a strong defense of Israel’s actions in Gaza from diplomat Gil Lainer. But to paraphrase Groucho Marx, this wasn’t it.
Palestinian Unity and the Beggar of Chelm
An old Jewish tale says only a fool would give money to a beggar, then be upset that he has money. Likewise, Israel cannot have it both ways when it comes to Palestinian unity.
Hamas Reelects Pragmatist Khaled Meshaal as Leader
The Islamist Palestinian Hamas group re-elected the relatively pragmatic Khaled Meshaal as its leader on Tuesday, despite past criticism of him by hardliners in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.
Hamas Accepts 2 States, '67 Borders: Report
Zvi Barel, Haaretz’s impeccably cautious Middle East commentator, reports (might be paywall; here is the Hebrew original) that Hamas secretary general Khaled Meshaal has agreed to accept a two-state solution, with a Palestinian state alongside Israel based on the 1967 borders. This follows talks in Amman this week between Meshaal King Abdullah of Jordan. Barel cites a Saudi newspaper, A-Sharq, which in turn cited “Jordanian sources.”
Hamas Says Israel 'Must End' War in Gaza
The exiled leader of the Palestinian group Hamas said on Monday Israel must take the first step if it wants a truce in the conflict in Gaza.
Does Hamas Joining PLO Mean It Accepts 2 States?
If you’ve been following the news in the American and international press, you’ve probably heard that the unity talks between Fatah and Hamas have reached a new and alarming phase. According to an Associated Press report that’s been widely reproduced, Hamas has agreed to join the Fatah-dominated umbrella Palestine Liberation Organization, the body that has been negotiating with Israel for the past 20 years, which “could have deep repercussions. Hamas has opposed the peace talks and rejects Israel’s right to exist. A strong Hamas voice in the group would further complicate the already troubled Mideast diplomatic process.” Not surprisingly, “Israeli officials reacted with alarm to the emerging agreement.”