By tf-lawyer.com On October 5, Khaled Meshaal, the exiled leader of Hamas, participated in an exclusive interview with Reuters in Qatar. The 68-year-old Meshaal expressed a resolute determination, stating that despite the significant losses his organization has faced in the ongoing conflict with Israel, Hamas is committed to “rising from the ashes like a phoenix.” He also indicated that the group is actively recruiting fighters and producing weapons.
Meshaal, who has been a high-ranking member of Hamas under the leadership of Ismail Haniyeh, has a notable history, having survived an assassination attempt by Israel in 1997—a harrowing incident involving poison. His long-standing leadership of Hamas from 1996 to 2017 has established him as a key diplomat within the organization.
During the interview, he reaffirmed Hamas’s ability to conduct attacks against Israel. He mentioned that on the anniversary of the war’s outbreak, Hamas launched four missiles at southern Israel, all of which were intercepted by the Israeli defense systems.
Acknowledging the arms losses attributed to the conflict, Meshaal pointed out that Hamas is still actively recruiting young individuals and continues to produce ammunition and weapons, although he refrained from sharing specific figures.
He also conveyed his skepticism regarding any potential peace under the current Israeli government led by Netanyahu. “As long as Israel’s occupation exists, this region remains a ticking time bomb,” Meshaal asserted.
Middle East analysts perceive his statements as a signal to the international community that, despite facing setbacks, Hamas is unwavering in its commitment to its cause.
As the first anniversary of the Hamas attacks on Israel approaches, protests in major European cities illustrate a divided response, with demonstrations supporting Palestinians juxtaposed against those condemning Israel’s retaliatory measures. This polarization is seen as a challenge for decision-making within the European Union.
Since hostilities erupted, immigrant communities, both Jewish and Muslim, in European countries report an increase in discrimination. A July survey by the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) highlighted that 96% of over 8,000 Jewish respondents across 13 EU member states have felt a rise in anti-Semitism in their daily lives since October of last year. Concurrently, Muslims in Europe find themselves struggling with unfair associations to Hamas, resulting in increased discrimination and suspicion.
