Epstein Secrets

t on the Saudis and others if it had been the U.S. and not Israel that intercepted the Klos-C ship this month carrying Iranian weapons destined for the Gaza Strip. Few things would more clearly demonstrate to the Saudis that we will not allow nuclear negotiations with Iran to prevent us from countering Iran's

February, Qatari Foreign Minister Khalid al-Attiyah visited Tehran for that purpose. The source added that last week, Iran gave the green light for Meshaal's visit after contacts between Zahar and Marwan Issa, a senior leader in the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas' armed wing. This long overdue v

financial support, as it signaled that there is no veto on the movement by decision-making circles in Tehran. Furthermore, Hamas is optimistic that Meshaal's visit will result in increasing Iran's financial support. The latter was confirmed by Ahmed Youssef, a former political adviser to Palestinian l

ilateral relationship. Al-Monitor has learned from a source close to Hamas' political leadership that Iran is also planning to receive Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal soon, after a long tug of war marked by undisclosed shuttle discussions. The source said that Qatar was mediating with Iran to restore ties with Ha

s between Zahar and Marwan Issa, a senior leader in the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas' armed wing. This long overdue visit will culminate in Meshaal meeting with Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In his meeting with Meshaal and in his recent and first visit to Qatar, Islamic Jihad S

: Many say that your arrival to Gaza played a pivotal role in achieving reconciliation. What is that role? And was Egypt's consent to you coming to the Gaza Strip an indication that it supports the ongoing efforts? Abu Marzouk: I submitted an application to Egyptian security services to come to Gaza and part

nces. Al-Monitor: What is the latest news concerning the protracted reconciliation between Hamas and Iran? What is causing the continued delay for Meshaal's upcoming visit? Abu Marzouk: The region is undergoing a reshuffling of relations and alliances that includes Hamas. As a result, Hamas is endeavo

old Hamas leader who played a pivotal role in achieving the reconciliation deal with Fatah on April 23. Abu Marzouk's remarks come as Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas meet in Qatar. The Hamas leader added that the Quartet's requirement that Hamas recognize Israel

od of high tension brought about by the ouster of former President Mohammed Morsi last July. There has also been recent talk of a possible visit by Meshaal to Tehran to restore the ties that have been damaged by the Syria crisis. That visit remains indefinitely delayed. Abu Marzouk conceded that resto

was unconstitutional. Palestinians: After an estimated 45 years of exile from Palestinian territories, Hamas political chief Khaled Meshaal visited the Gaza Strip and spoke of a new era of Palestinian independence. The speech took place at a rally celebrating the 25th anniversary of the founding of Hamas and wa

gestures. The day was also characterized by a unique display of Hamas-Fatah solidarity, as flags from both camps were visible among the crowds while Meshaal referred to Palestinian unity in his speech. There has been much press speculation around the issue of a potential Hamas-Fatah reconciliation with v

by the emir in October was unconstitutional. Palestinians: After an estimated 45 years of exile from Palestinian territories, Hamas political chief Khaled Meshaal visited the Gaza Strip and spoke of a new era of Palestinian independence. The speech took place at a rally celebrating the 25th anniversary of the

race of Palestinian reconciliation with the West Bank-based rival Fatah party, fearing the move will end the group's five-year run as the rulers of the Gaza Strip. The power struggle is likely to shape Hamas' policies in the coming year, determining whether it continues on a course of reconciliation with Fata

blic fracture since its founding. The Gaza faction sees little reason to make concessions and is particularly skeptical about Hamas Politburo chief Khaled Meshaal's sudden embrace of Palestinian reconciliation with the West Bank-based rival Fatah party, fearing the move will end the group's five-year run as t

s secretive elections for its Shura Council leadership body and appoints a new Politburo chief. Some EFTA00671799 close to the group predict that Meshaal, despite his recent announcement that he would not seek reelection, will win another four-year term and be given a mandate to implement a unity gov

mpaign races to the finish, the Middle East continues to boil. Not that the world seems to notice. Last week, Palestinian terrorists operating from the Gaza Strip fired 21 rockets and mortars into Israel. That followed a three-day, 77-shell barrage, in which two civilians were seriously injured and thousands

resh elections, neither event has materialized, while the rivalry has resumed. Those in Hamas who favored making peace with Abbas, led by chairman Khaled Meshaal, lost out to those in Hamas who argued to remain on their own, not least because the Arab Spring is delivering governments into the hands of politi

away. Police stations and checkpoints were reduced to piles of ashes and debris. Soldiers took up positions along the road that connects Cairo and the Gaza Strip, barricading themselves inside tanks and other fighting vehicles surrounded by walls of sandbags. As pillars of the police state eroded, hundreds

y 2004, he talked about Arafat having "no insurance policy". The Israelis have done it before, notably in 1997 when they almost killed Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal in Amman, on the orders of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. There is nothing that would have prevented them from doing it yet again to Arafat, w

away. Police stations and checkpoints were reduced to piles of ashes and debris. Soldiers took up positions along the road that connects Cairo and the Gaza Strip, barricading themselves inside tanks and other fighting vehicles surrounded by walls of sandbags. As pillars of the police state eroded, hundreds

ving "no insurance policy". The Israelis have done it before, notably in 1997 when EFTA_R1_02209755 EFTA02723627 they almost killed Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal in Amman, on the orders of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. There is nothing that would have prevented them from doing it yet again to Arafat, w

m United States to Israel (October 1998) 356 Sharm el-Sheikh Memorandum (4 September 1999) 358 Protocol Concerning Safe Passage between West Bank and Gaza Strip (5 October 1999) 363 Sharon Address at Fourth Herzliya Conference (18 December 2003) 371 Exchange of Letters between PM Sharon and President Bush (

b League in Cairo, with Ahmed Shugeiri as its leader. 16 May 1967 President Nasser asks the United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF) to leave Sinai and the Gaza Strip, where it had been engaged in peacekeeping functions since the 1956 Sinai conflict. 22 May 1967 Egypt announces a blockade against Israeli shipping

21 January 1997 TIPH II agreement. 21 January 1997 Israel-Jordan QIZ agreement. 25 September 1997 _ Israel’s assassination attempt on Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal in Amman. 23 October 1998 Wye River Agreement signed by Arafat and Netanyahu. 14 December 1998 The Palestinian National Council convenes in the pre