Hamas leader Khalid Masha’al has been reelected the political bureau chief for the third time, a high-ranking Hamas source was quoted as saying on Monday by Ma'an news agency. He was elected in secret vote held throughout the Middle East over the last several days. It means that Masha’al will continue to be Hamas’ highest leader for the next four years.
In addition, Muhammad Nazzal, the Hamas representative in Jordan, has been replaced by Osama Hamdan, representative in Lebanon, in the political bureau.
“Members of Hamas political echelon, and the General Consultative Council in the Gaza Strip left the Strip recently heading to Damascus, where the Political Bureau operates in exile, to partake in meetings and electing the new politburo which consists of 15 members,” the source was quoted as saying.
No major changes were made except for replacing a few members. Amongst members of the previous politburo were Khalid Mash’al, his deputy Mousa Abu Marzouq, Imad Al-Alami, Izzat Ar-Rashq, Sami Khatir, Muhammad Nasr, and Muhammad Nazzal.
According to sources, the head of Hamas politburo must not necessarily be based in exile, but Hamas leaders prefer this because it is easier for an exiled leader to travel in the region.
The sources also revealed that Hamas elected an Executive Office of 25 members. This body is a narrower consultative council for the movement. The Executive Office includes all 15 members of the politburo in addition to chair of the General Consultative Council, his deputy, and the secretary. The other seven members are elected from the General Consultative Council.
