Major General Qasem Soleimani was the commander of Iran’s Quds Force, the external wing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) responsible for liaising with Iran’s global proxies.“Treasury Targets Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, October 11, 2011, http://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/tg1320.aspx. As head of the Quds Force, Soleimani reported directly to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.Dexter Filkins, “The Shadow Commander,” New Yorker, September 30, 2013, http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2013/09/30/the-shadow-commander. The U.S. government, the United Nations, and the European Union have all sanction-designated Soleimani for involvement in either Iran’s nuclear program or the Syrian civil war in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.“Treasury Targets Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, October 11, 2011, http://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/tg1320.aspx;
“Designation of Five Individuals Pursuant to Executive Order 13224 of September 23, 2001, ``Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten To Commit, or Support Terrorism,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, October 17, 2011, http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-10-17/html/2011-26775.htm;
“Security Council Toughens Sanctions Against Iran, Adds Arms Embargo, With Unanimous Adoption of Resolution 1747 (2007), United Nations, March 24, 2007, http://www.un.org/press/en/2007/sc8980.doc.htm;
“Council Implementing Regulation (EU) No 611/2011 of 23 June 2011 Implementing Regulations (EU) No 442/2011 Concerning Restrictive Measures in View of the Situation in Syria,” Official Journal of the European Union, June 24, 2011, http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2011:164:0001:0003:EN:PDF; “Treasury Targets Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, October 11, 2011, http://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/tg1320.aspx;
“Designation of Five Individuals Pursuant to Executive Order 13224 of September 23, 2001, ``Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten To Commit, or Support Terrorism,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, October 17, 2011, http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-10-17/html/2011-26775.htm;
“Security Council Toughens Sanctions Against Iran, Adds Arms Embargo, With Unanimous Adoption of Resolution 1747 (2007), United Nations, March 24, 2007, http://www.un.org/press/en/2007/sc8980.doc.htm;
Bozorgmehr Sharafedin, “General Qasem Soleimani: Iran’s Rising Star,” BBC News, March 6, 2015, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-27883162. Furthermore, U.S. Central Command documents declassified in 2015 reveal that Iraqi Shiite militants under Soleimani’s command killed more than 500 U.S. service members in Iraq between 2005 and 2011.Rowan Scarborough, “Iran responsible for deaths of 500 American service members in Iraq,” Washington Times, September 13, 2015, http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/sep/13/iran-responsible-for-deaths-of-500-us-service-memb/. U.S. intelligence has also linked Soleimani to a 2011 assassination attempt of Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United States in Washington, D.C.“Treasury Targets Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, October 11, 2011, http://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/tg1320.aspx. Soleimani was killed on January 3, 2020, in a U.S. airstrike.Frank Miles, “Baghdad rocket attack kills Iranian military leaders including Gen. Qassim Soleimani, reports say,” Fox News, January 2, 2020,  https://www.foxnews.com/world/rockets-baghdad-airport-injuries-reported; Missy Ryan and Dan Lamothe, “Pentagon launched airstrike that killed Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani, Defense Sec. Mark Esper says,” Washington Post, January 2, 2020, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/defense-secretary-says-iran-and-its-proxies-may-be-planning-fresh-attacks-on-us-personnel-in-iraq/2020/01/02/53b63f00-2d89-11ea-bcb3-ac6482c4a92f_story.html.

Soleimani had commanded the Quds Force since 1998, having proven his dedication to the Iranian regime as an IRGC divisional commander during the Iran-Iraq War in the 1980s. As Quds Force commander, Soleimani coordinated Iraqi Shiite militants fighting against U.S. forces between 2005 and 2011. Soleimani also reportedly influenced then-Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to insist on the 2011 U.S. withdrawal.Dexter Filkins, “The Shadow Commander,” New Yorker, September 30, 2013, http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2013/09/30/the-shadow-commander. He led Quds Force operations against ISIS in Iraq, where he oversaw approximately 100,000 Iraqi Shiite fighters and six Iranian training camps, according to August 2016 U.S. military estimatesLucas Tomlinson, “US officials: Up to 100,000 Iran-backed fighters now in Iraq,” Fox News, August 16, 2016, http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/08/16/us-officials-up-to-100000-iran-backed-fighters-now-in-iraq.html;
Farnaz Fassihi, “Iran Deploys Revolutionary Guard Forces to Fight Militants in Iraq, Iranian Security Sources Say,” Wall Street Journal, June 12, 2014, http://online.wsj.com/articles/iran-deploys-forces-to-fight-al-qaeda-inspired-militants-in-iraq-iranian-security-sources-1402592470. Soleimani had told Iranian media that he believed Western nations created ISIS in order to target Iran.“Takfiri Terrorists on Verge of Defeat on ‘All Fronts’: General Soleimani,” Tasnim News Agency, October 6, 2016, https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2016/10/06/1206080/takfiri-terrorists-on-verge-of-defeat-on-all-fronts-general-soleimani. Soleimani had also accused the U.S. government of seeking to weaken Iran and preserve ISIS.“US undergoing ‘serious damage’ in ME,” MEHR News Agency, September 16, 2015, http://en.mehrnews.com/news/110184/US-undergoing-serious-damage-in-ME;
Arash Karami, “Soleimani: US power in region has declined,” Al-Monitor, September 1, 2015, http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/en/originals/2015/09/soleimani-us-power-decline.html.

Soleimani’s influence extended to Syria as well. According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Soleimani oversaw Iran’s military support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.“Administration Takes Additional Steps to Hold the Government of Syria Accountable for Violent Repression Against the Syrian People,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, May 18, 2011, http://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/tg1181.aspx. One Free Syrian Army commander told the Wall Street Journal in 2013 that Soleimani was “running Syria. [President] Bashar [al-Assad] is just his mayor.”Farnaz Fassihi, Jay Solomon, and Sam Dagher, “Iranians Dial Up Presence in Syria,” Wall Street Journal, September 16, 2013, http://online.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323864604579067382861808984. During the October 2016 funeral of IRGC Brigadier General Hossein Hamedani, Soleimani justified Iran’s role in Syria as repayment for Syria’s support during the Iran-Iraq War. He further argued that it was in Iran’s interests to intervene on Assad’s behalf.“Iran’s Soleimani Says Syria War Plays to Iran National Interests,” Asharq Al-Awsat, October 7, 2016, http://english.aawsat.com/2016/10/article55359787/irans-soleimani-says-syria-war-plays-iran-national-interests.

Soleimani was banned from international travel because of his 2007 U.N. designation for his role in Iran’s nuclear program.“Security Council Toughens Sanctions Against Iran, Adds Arms Embargo, With Unanimous Adoption of Resolution 1747 (2007), United Nations, March 24, 2007, http://www.un.org/press/en/2007/sc8980.doc.htm. Nonetheless, he reportedly flew to Moscow at least three times—in July 2015, April 2016, and February 2017—for meetings with Russian officials.Lucas Tomlinson, “EXCLUSIVE: Shadowy Iranian general visits Moscow, violating sanctions,” Fox News, February 15, 2017, http://www.foxnews.com/world/2017/02/15/exclusive-shadowy-iranian-general-visits-moscow-violating-sanctions.html;
Jennifer Griffin and Lucas Tomlinson, “Exclusive: Quds Force commander Soleimani visited Moscow, met Russian leaders in defiance of sanctions,” Fox News, August 6, 2015, http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/08/06/exclusive-quds-force-commander-soleimani-visited-moscow-met-russian-leaders-in.html. After Soleimani reportedly traveled to Russia for military discussions in April 2016, the U.S. State Department confirmed that U.N. travel sanctions on Soleimani remained in effect despite the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and the P5+1.Lidia Kelly and Parisa Hafezi, “Iran's Soleimani in Russia for talks on Syria, missiles: sources,” Reuters, April 15, 2016, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-iran-soleimani-idUSKCN0XC0TR.

Despite being dubbed “the shadow commander” in a 2013 New Yorker article,Dexter Filkins, “The Shadow Commander,” New Yorker, September 23, 2013, http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2013/09/30/the-shadow-commander. Soleimani had gained celebrity status in Iran. Iranian media began publicizing Soleimani’s role in the fight against ISIS in late 2014, labeling him a hero.Saeed Kamali Dehghan, “Qassem Suleimani photo makeover reveals Iran’s new publicity strategy,” Guardian, October 14, 2014, http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/14/suleimani-high-profile-to-publicise-irans-key-anti-isis-role. Since 2014, Iranian media have published numerous photos of Soleimani with Iranian, Iraqi Shiite, and Hezbollah fighters in Iraq and Syria.Bozorgmehr Sharafedin, “General Qasem Soleimani: Iran’s rising star,” BBC News, March 6, 2015, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-27883162;
“Top Iranian military commander Soleimani seen rallying Iranian officers, Hezbollah in Syria,” Fox News, October 19, 2015, http://www.foxnews.com/world/2015/10/15/top-iranian-military-commander-soleimani-seen-rallying-iranian-officers.html. In addition, Iranians have increasingly praised Soleimani on social media, while others outside of Iran have used social media to mock his celebrity. In April 2015, Soleimani reportedly insisted that a planned Iranian film about him be canceled, while Iraqi Shiite fighters that month made a music video celebrating Soleimani.Arash Karami, “Soleimani: No more selfies,” Al-Monitor, April 14, 2015, http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2015/04/iran-qassem-soleimani-social-media-selfies.html;
Bozorgmehr Sharafedin, “General Qasem Soleimani: Iran’s rising star,” BBC News, March 6, 2015, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-27883162. Soleimani is also featured in Battle of Persian Gulf II, a 2017 animated Iranian movie in which Soleimani-led IRGC forces defeat the U.S. Navy in a confrontation over Iran’s nuclear program.Bozorgmehr Sharafedin, “Iran defeats U.S. Navy in defiant animated film,” Reuters, February 15, 2017, http://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-trump-animation-idUSKBN15U1E1.

Soleimani was killed on January 3, 2020, in a U.S. airstrike near Baghdad International Airport. Kata’ib Hezbollah leader Jamal Jaafar Ibrahimi, a.k.a. Abu Mahdi al-Mohandes, was also killed in the strike. The Pentagon confirmed shortly after that U.S. President Donald Trump ordered the strike because Soleimani was “actively developing plans” to attack U.S. troops and officials.Frank Miles, “Baghdad rocket attack kills Iranian military leaders including Gen. Qassim Soleimani, reports say,” Fox News, January 2, 2020,  https://www.foxnews.com/world/rockets-baghdad-airport-injuries-reported; Missy Ryan and Dan Lamothe, “Pentagon launched airstrike that killed Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani, Defense Sec. Mark Esper says,” Washington Post, January 2, 2020, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/defense-secretary-says-iran-and-its-proxies-may-be-planning-fresh-attacks-on-us-personnel-in-iraq/2020/01/02/53b63f00-2d89-11ea-bcb3-ac6482c4a92f_story.html. The PMF blamed the United States and Israel for Soleimani and Ibrahimi’s deaths. The strike reportedly killed at least five others, including the PMF’s airport protocol officer, Mohammed Reda.Qassim Abdul-Zahra, “Iran’s Gen. Soleimani killed in airstrike at Baghdad airport,” Associated Press, January 2, 2020, https://apnews.com/5597ff0f046a67805cc233d5933a53ed. The strike followed a December 31, 2019, assault on the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad by Iraqi protesters and members of KH. Protesters withdrew on January 1, 2020. U.S. leaders held the Iranian leadership responsible and promised retaliation.Frank Miles, “Baghdad rocket attack kills Iranian military leaders including Gen. Qassim Soleimani, reports say,” Fox News, January 2, 2020,  https://www.foxnews.com/world/rockets-baghdad-airport-injuries-reported. Ibrahimi was reportedly among the KH members involved in the assault.Mustafa Salim and Liz Sly, “Militia supporters chanting ‘Death to America’ break into U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad,” Washington Post, December 31, 2019,  https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/iran-backed-militia-supporters-converge-on-us-embassy-in-baghdad-shouting-death-to-america/2019/12/31/93f050b2-2bb1-11ea-bffe-020c88b3f120_story.html; Mustafa Salim and Liz Sly, “Supporters of Iranian-backed militia end siege of U.S. Embassy in Baghdad,” Washington Post, January 1, 2020, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/supporters-of-iranian-backed-militia-start-withdrawing-from-besieged-us-embassy-in-baghdad-following-militia-orders/2020/01/01/8280cb34-2c9e-11ea-9b60-817cc18cf173_story.html.

After the strike, news agencies revealed Israel had provided the United States with intelligence to track Soleimani’s phone and location.Ken Dilanian and Courtney Kube, “Airport informants, overhead drones: How the U.S. killed Soleimani,” NBC News, January 10, 2020, https://www.nbcnews.com/news/mideast/airport-informants-overhead-drones-how-u-s-killed-soleimani-n1113726; “Israeli intel helped US carry out strike that killed Iran’s Soleimani — report,” Times of Israel, January 12, 2020, https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-intel-helped-us-carry-out-strike-that-killed-irans-soleimani-report/. In a July 2021 interview after leaving the presidency, however, Trump said he was “very disappointed in” Israel’s lack of participation in the actual assassination.Barak Ravid, “Trump felt used on Soleimani strike: ‘Israel did not do the right thing,’” Axios, December 15, 2021, https://www.axios.com/trump-soleimani-strike-netanyahu-israel-8f1abba2-5c05-4909-adee-ef872e9becb4.html.

Shortly after Soleimani’s death on January 3, Khamenei appointed Ismail Ghaani as the new commander of the Quds Force.Sune Engel Rasmussen, “Iran Appoints Commander to Succeed General Killed in Air Strike,” Wall Street Journal, January 3, 2020, https://www.wsj.com/articles/iran-appoints-commander-to-succeed-general-killed-in-air-strike-11578050590. Despite his death, Soleimani remains a popular figure in Iran. In August 2020, a museum dedicated to Soleimani opened in Tehran.“Martyr Soleimani’s panorama museum inaugurated in Tehran,” Mehr News Agency, August 4, 2020, https://en.mehrnews.com/news/161854/Martyr-Soleimani-s-panorama-museum-inaugurated-in-Tehran. The Iranian leadership and Iranian terrorist proxies continue to praise Soleimani as a martyr and fixture of peace and security.“‘General Soleimani was truly a general of peace and security,’” Tehran Times, February 9, 2020, https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/445002/General-Soleimani-was-truly-a-general-of-peace-and-security.

In November 2021, former Iranian diplomat Mohsen Pak’aeen repeated the myth the United States created ISIS as part of a strategy to destabilize the Middle East and strengthen Israel. Pak’aeen praised Soleimani for thwarting U.S. “conspiracies” and held Soleimani responsible for U.S. military withdrawals from the Middle East.“Ex-diplomat: Gen. Soleimani thwarted U.S. plot in the region,” Tehran Times, November 20, 2021, https://www.tehrantimes.com/news/467241/Ex-diplomat-Gen-Soleimani-thwarted-U-S-plot-in-the-region. During a December 15, 2021, phone call with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh declared Hamas continues to remember Soleimani “with honor and we appreciate the Islamic Republic of Iran’s support for the Palestinian cause and resistance all through the years following the Islamic Revolution’s victory.”“Iran Reaffirms Support for Palestine,” Tasnim News Agency, December 15, 2021, https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2021/12/15/2626287/iran-reaffirms-support-for-palestine.

Rawhi Mushtaha is a U.S.-designated Hamas senior leader and one of the coordinators of the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel, which launched the Hamas-Israel War. A founding member of Hamas’s military wing, Mushtaha has been connected to a series of Hamas’s crimes, leading to his designation as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) by the U.S. Department of State on September 8, 2015.“Terrorist Designations of Yahya Sinwar, Rawhi Mushtaha, and Muhammed Deif,” U.S. Department of State, September 8, 2015, https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2015/09/246686.htm.

Mushtaha is credited with founding the forerunner of the Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas. While running Hamas’s military operations in 1988,“Gaza prisoner’s wife awaits husband she hardly knows,” Los Angeles Times, October 16, 2011, https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/world-now/story/2011-10-16/gaza-prisoners-wife-awaits-husband-she-hardly-knows. Mushtaha was arrested by Israel and subsequently sentenced to serve four life sentences for murder and acts of terrorism.“Rawhi Jamal Mushtaha,” Global Fight Against Terrorism Funding, June 28, 2016, https://www.gfatf.org/archives/rawhi-jamal-mushtaha/. He was incarcerated until 2011 when he was released as part of a prisoner exchange deal for captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. The deal saw the release of Shalit from Hamas captivity in exchange for the release of 1,027 Palestinian prisoners.“U.S. And UK Target Additional Hamas Finance Officials and Representatives,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, December 13, 2023, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1981; Ben Quinn, “Gilad Shalit freed in exchange for Palestinian prisoners,” Guardian (London), October 18, 2011, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/oct/18/gilad-shalit-palestine-prisoners-freed.

Sometime after his release, Mushtaha and Yahya Sinwar—Hamas’s political chief in the Gaza Strip—co-founded Munazzamat al Jihad w’al-Dawa (Majd), the group’s internal security force within the Qassam Brigades.“Internal Security Force (ISF) – HAMAS,” European Council of Foreign Relations, accessed March 6, 2024, https://ecfr.eu/special/mapping_palestinian_politics/internal_security_force/. The Majd’s operations focused on identifying Israeli spies among Hamas and Palestinian civilians.“YAHYA SINWAR – HAMAS’ NEW MAN,” Jerusalem Institute of Justice, June 21, 2017, https://jij.org/news/yahya-sinwar-hamas-new-man/. During Hamas internal elections in April 2012, Mushtaha won election to Hamas’s political bureau.“Elections for Hamas' Leading Institutions in the Gaza Strip – Results and Significance,” Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, accessed March 6, 2024, https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/Data/articles/Art_20333/E_095_12_829672402.pdf. Mushtaha is known as one of Hamas’s more hawkish members. In 2015, he publicly called on the Qassam Brigades to kidnap Israeli citizens to prompt further exchange deals to free imprisoned Hamas members.“Terrorist Designations of Yahya Sinwar, Rawhi Mushtaha, and Muhammed Deif,” U.S. Department of State, September 8, 2015, https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2015/09/246686.htm.

Mushtaha remained a principle official within Hamas’s Gaza politburo, eventually taking charge of the unit’s financial affairs.Emanuel Fabian, “Army says it struck Hamas underground sites where senior,” Times of Israel, November 17, 2023, https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-says-it-struck-hamas-underground-sites-where-senior-commanders-were-hiding/. Given his status within the organization, the U.S. Department of State designated Mushtaha as an SDGT on September 8, 2015.“Terrorist Designations of Yahya Sinwar, Rawhi Mushtaha, and Muhammed Deif,” U.S. Department of State, September 8, 2015, https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2015/09/246686.htm. Mushtaha’s activities were not limited to the organization’s financial affairs as media sources later noted his participation in coordinating the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel that preceded a war between Israel and Hamas.“‘Al-Aqsa Flood’ : Initiated by 70 Elite Fighters, Crafted by 5 Hamas Leaders,” Asharq al-Awsat (London), January 10, 2024, https://english.aawsat.com/arab-world/4780421-%E2%80%98al-aqsa-flood%E2%80%99-initiated-70-elite-fighters-crafted-5-hamas-leaders.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a massive attack on Israel, killing at least 1,200 and wounding almost 4,000. Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) also took hostage at least 240 people, mostly civilians.Ammar Awad and Maayan Lubell, “Gunmen in homes, captives abducted leave Israelis in shock,” Reuters, October 7, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/gunmen-homes-captives-abducted-gaza-leave-israelis-shock-2023-10-07/; Lauren Frayer, “Israel revises down its death toll from the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks to about 1,200,” NPR, November 11, 2023, https://www.npr.org/2023/11/11/1212458974/israel-revises-death-toll-hamas-attacks-oct-7. During the attack, Hamas fighters blew up part of the border fence and then used bulldozers to widen the gap before sending hundreds of fighters into Israel on motorbikes. At the same time, Hamas launched thousands of rockets as far north as Tel Aviv. The Hamas fighters spread into more than a dozen Israeli communities and military bases within 15 miles of the Gaza border.Samia Nakhoul and Jonathan Saul, “How Israel was duped as Hamas planned devastating assault,” Reuters, October 8, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/how-israel-was-duped-hamas-planned-devastating-assault-2023-10-08/. A December 2023 Israel Defense Forces (IDF) investigation found that Hamas had used an unspecified but toxic flammable substance in its attack on the Nahal Oz IDF base, which surveilled the Gaza border. According to the investigation, Hamas attackers threw the substance through the entrance of the building that housed the surveillance soldiers’ command center, causing suffocation and loss of consciousness within a few minutes.“Hamas used toxic substance to kill Nahal Oz troops on Oct. 7, IDF probe said to show,” Times of Israel, December 13, 2023, https://www.timesofisrael.com/nahal-oz-troops-killed-by-toxic-gas-during-oct-7-hamas-attack-idf-probe-said-to-show/. Hamas claimed it had launched 5,000 rockets toward Israel on the first day of the war. Hamas designated its attack “Al-Aqsa Storm,” though it has also been labeled “Al-Aqsa Flood.”Ibrahim Dahman and Abeer Salman, “Hamas announces ‘Al-Aqsa Storm,’ claims to have fired 5,000 rockets,” CNN, October 7, 2023, https://www.cnn.com/middleeast/live-news/al-aqsa-storm-militants-infiltrate-israel-after-gaza-rockets-10-07-intl-hnk/h_644aa5e5d02286051f5cc307e229566a; “Al-Aqsa Flood was a ‘fully Palestinian operation’, Iran’s IRGC says,” New Arab, December 28, 2023, https://www.newarab.com/news/al-aqsa-flood-fully-palestinian-operation-irans-irgc. In the period between October 7 and December 2023, Hamas launched more than 12,000 rockets toward Israel.“Hamas rockets target Tel Aviv area for first time in a week,” Jewish News Service, December 19, 2023, https://www.jns.org/hamas-rockets-target-tel-aviv-area-for-first-time-in-a-week/.

The October 7 attack was planned and executed solely by Hamas leaders in Gaza without input from the Hamas political leadership abroad, according to multiple media reports interviewing Palestinians close to the Hamas leadership. In January 2024, the British newspaper Asharq al-Awsat reported that five individuals coordinated the October 7 attack: Mushtaha, Yahya Sinwar, his brother Muhammad Sinwar, Qassam Brigades leader Mohammed Deif, and Ayman Nofal. They reportedly chose the date of October 7 because of the reports of calm along the border. They confirmed their plans on October 6 and waited until midnight that night to begin the attack with 70 fighters from elite Hamas units who were trained in infiltrating Israeli settlements. Palestinian sources told the newspaper that Hamas’s political leaders in Qatar were not informed of the attack until hours beforehand when they received a briefing and instructions to go into hiding. After the first hour-and-a-half of the attacks, Hamas mobilized elite units within the Qassam Brigades to support the initial attackers.“‘Al-Aqsa Flood’ : Initiated by 70 Elite Fighters, Crafted by 5 Hamas Leaders,” Asharq al-Awsat (London), January 10, 2024, https://english.aawsat.com/arab-world/4780421-%E2%80%98al-aqsa-flood%E2%80%99-initiated-70-elite-fighters-crafted-5-hamas-leaders.

At one point in November 2023, the IDF announced that it had carried out airstrikes targeting a tunnel reportedly hiding Mushtaha and Hamas’s other senior political and military leaders in Gaza. It is unclear whether Mushtaha and the others survived the attack.Emanuel Fabian, “Army says it struck Hamas underground sites where senior,” Times of Israel, November 17, 2023, https://www.timesofisrael.com/idf-says-it-struck-hamas-underground-sites-where-senior-commanders-were-hiding/.

Jihad Muhammad Shaker Yaghmour is the U.S.-designated Hamas representative to Turkey. A senior official within the terror organization, he is responsible for facilitating activities for the terror group. The U.S. department of the Treasury designated Yaghmour as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) on December 13, 2023.“U.S. And UK Target Additional Hamas Finance Officials and Representatives,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, December 13, 2023, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1981.

Yaghmour is from the Beit Hanina neighborhood in east Jerusalem. “Turkey as a Terrorism-Sponsoring State,” Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, December 14, 2019, https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/app/uploads/2019/12/E_278_19.pdf. Yaghmour’s nefarious activities began in the early 1990s when he was implicated in the Hamas-coordinated abduction of IDF soldier Nahshon Waxman in 1994. Although sentenced to life imprisonment by an Israeli court in October 1994, he was exiled to Turkey in 2011 as part of a prisoner swap between Hamas and Israel for the release of captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit. In exchange for Hamas’s release of Shalit, Israel released 1,027 Palestinian prisoners.“U.S. And UK Target Additional Hamas Finance Officials and Representatives,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, December 13, 2023, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1981; Ben Quinn, “Gilad Shalit freed in exchange for Palestinian prisoners,” Guardian (London), October 18, 2011, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/oct/18/gilad-shalit-palestine-prisoners-freed.

Yaghmour was first referred to as Hamas’s representative to Turkey in 2019 when he accompanied Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas’s political bureau, on a trip to Turkey. In his role, Yaghmour liaises between Hamas, the Turkish government, and the Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MIT), reportedly communicating with the latter organization on a near daily basis.“Turkey as a Terrorism-Sponsoring State,” Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, December 14, 2019, https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/app/uploads/2019/12/E_278_19.pdf. According to the Meir Amit Intelligence and Information Center, Yaghmour has also been involved in the coordination of terror squads in the West Bank.“Turkey as a Terrorism-Sponsoring State,” Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, December 14, 2019, https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/app/uploads/2019/12/E_278_19.pdf.

Yaghmour is president of the Association of Jerusalem and Our History, a Turkish cultural organization he reportedly uses as a cover for his political and operational activities in support of Hamas.“Turkey as a Terrorism-Sponsoring State,” Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, December 14, 2019, https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/app/uploads/2019/12/E_278_19.pdf.

On December 13, 2023, the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Yaghmour as an SDGT by the U.S. Department of the Treasury for his continued support and expansion of the violent extremist group. Yaghmour was designated along with seven other Hamas supporters and officials who are accused of financing and organizing Hamas’s activities.“U.S. And UK Target Additional Hamas Finance Officials and Representatives,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, December 13, 2023, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1981. In response to the designations, Hamas condemned the sanctions as a collusion between American and British governments with “the Zionist entity,” referring to Israel.“Press Statement,” Hamas Online Telegram Channel, December 13, 2023. Hamas further claimed the designations would “not deter the Hamas movement from continuing its duty to defend the legitimate national rights of our Palestinian people.”“Press Statement,” Hamas Online Telegram Channel, December 13, 2023.

Hassan Al-Wardian is a Bethlehem-based senior Hamas official. Given al-Wardian’s tenure with the terror organization, the U.S. Department of State designated al-Wardian as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) on December 13, 2023.“Counter Terrorism Designations,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, December 13, 2023, https://ofac.treasury.gov/recent-actions/20231213.

Al-Wardian’s wife has stated that he is a building contractor and served as the imam at one of Bethlehem’s mosques.Joseph Algazy, “Now Incitement Against the Fence Is Grounds for Administrative Detention,” Haaretz (Tel Aviv), February 17, 2004, https://www.haaretz.com/2004-02-17/ty-article/now-incitement-against-the-fence-is-grounds-for-administrative-detention/0000017f-f09a-d223-a97f-fddfa5270000?v=1702581915699. Al-Wardian eventually went on to serve as a political and field commander for Hamas in Bethlehem before he was selected by U.S.-designated Hamas political bureau member Musa Muhammad Salim Dudin for a leadership role within Hamas’s West Bank outpost.“U.S. And UK Target Additional Hamas Finance Officials and Representatives,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, December 13, 2023, https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy1981.

As a senior Hamas official, al-Wardian has been arrested by Israeli forces multiple times. On April 5, 2002, al-Wardian was placed in Ketziot prison under the authority of an administrative decree.Joseph Algazy, “Now Incitement Against the Fence Is Grounds for Administrative Detention,” Haaretz (Tel Aviv), February 17, 2004, https://www.haaretz.com/2004-02-17/ty-article/now-incitement-against-the-fence-is-grounds-for-administrative-detention/0000017f-f09a-d223-a97f-fddfa5270000?v=1702581915699. The details of his arrest were never revealed, but al-Wardian reportedly spent at least 10 years in detention.Palestinian Information Center, “Hamas leader on hunger strike in PA jail,” Scoop World, June 30, 2012, https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1207/S00021/hamas-leader-on-hunger-strike-in-pa-jail.htm?from-mobile=bottom-link-01. Al-Wardian’s neighbors have mentioned that he has also been detained for short stints by Israeli forces due to his “sermons and activities against the occupation.”Joseph Algazy, “Now Incitement Against the Fence Is Grounds for Administrative Detention,” Haaretz (Tel Aviv), February 17, 2004, https://www.haaretz.com/2004-02-17/ty-article/now-incitement-against-the-fence-is-grounds-for-administrative-detention/0000017f-f09a-d223-a97f-fddfa5270000?v=1702581915699.

Further information regarding al-Wardian’s activities for the next decade is unavailable. However, al-Wardian was once again summoned by Israeli forces on March 18, 2021, and arrested two weeks later on April 6. The charges against al-Wardian were not disclosed.“Palestinian candidate arrested, others summoned, and roadblock to elections activities in Jerusalem: Israel must stop interference in the Palestinian elections,” Geneva Council for Rights and Liberties, April 11, 2023, https://genevacouncil.com/2021/04/11/palestinian-candidate-arrested-others-summoned-and-roadblock-to-elections-activities-in-jerusalem-israel-must-stop-interference-in-the-palestinian-elections/. On April 15, 2021, an Israeli military court sentenced al-Wardian to four months of administrative detention. According to media sources, the sentence was an attempt to prevent al-Wardian from contesting the May 2021 Palestinian parliamentary elections. However, no specific charges were cited in the sentencing.Salam Abu Sharar, “Israeli military court sentences Hamas nominees,” Anadolu Agency, April 15, 2021, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/israeli-military-court-sentences-hamas-nominees/2210234.

On December 13, 2023, the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated al-Wardian as an SDGT for his connections to Hamas. He was designated along with seven other Hamas supporters and officials who are accused of financing and organizing Hamas activities.“Counter Terrorism Designations,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, December 13, 2023, https://ofac.treasury.gov/recent-actions/20231213. In response to the designations, Hamas condemned the sanctions as a collusion between American and British governments with “the Zionist entity,” referring to Israel.“Press Statement,” Hamas Online Telegram Channel, December 13, 2023. Hamas further claimed the designations would “not deter the Hamas movement from continuing its duty to defend the legitimate national rights of our Palestinian people.”“Press Statement,” Hamas Online Telegram Channel, December 13, 2023.

Taher al-Nunu is the media advisor to Ismail Haniyeh, the chief of Hamas’s political bureau.“Commanders in exile: Gazan faction heads quit the Strip,” I24 News, January 13, 2022, https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/middle-east/palestinian-territories/1642069442-commanders-in-exile-gazan-faction-heads-quit-the-strip. Al-Nunu has been affiliated with Hamas in an official position since at least 2011.Isabel Kershner and Fares Akram, “Palestinian Unity Effort Shows Cracks as Factions Disagree Over Choosing Leader,” New York Times, June 13, 2011, https://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/14/world/middleeast/14mideast.html. However, he reportedly held the title of “media coordinator” and “media adviser” since at least 2012.“Qatari emir in historic Gaza visit,” Al Jazeera, October 23, 2012, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2012/10/23/qatari-emir-in-historic-gaza-visit.

In 2015, al-Nunu announced that Hamas planned to launch a social media campaign on X, previously known as Twitter, that was called #AskHamas.“Gaza PM adviser dismisses Israel recognition remarks,” Anadolu Agency, February 12, 2015, https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/gaza-pm-adviser-dismisses-israel-recognition-remarks. According to al-Nunu the campaign was “aimed at rejecting the label of the Palestinian resistance as ‘terrorists.’” #AskHamas was largely discredited with negative responses tallying around 3,000 before the campaign was even launched.Adam Taylor, “Hamas’s #AskHamas Twitter campaign is being mocked and it hasn’t even started yet,” Washington Post, March 12, 2015, https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2015/03/12/hamass-askhamas-twitter-campaign-is-being-mocked-and-it-hasnt-even-started-yet/.

In March 2017, al-Nunu responded to news that after four years of work, Hamas had drafted a new platform to replace the group’s 1988 charter. The controversial document included language of Hamas’s struggle specifically against the Jews and the promise of obliterating Israel. The new document instead labeled Hamas’s enemies as “occupiers.”Ian Fisher and Majd Al Waheidi, “New Hamas Charter Would Name ‘Occupiers,’ Not ‘Jews,’ as the Enemy,” March 9, 2017, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/09/world/middleeast/hamas-gaza-israel-jews.html. According to al-Nunu, the new platform endorses “that we don’t fight Jews because they are Jews…our struggle is only against those who occupied our lands.”Ian Fisher and Majd Al Waheidi, “New Hamas Charter Would Name ‘Occupiers,’ Not ‘Jews,’ as the Enemy,” March 9, 2017, https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/09/world/middleeast/hamas-gaza-israel-jews.html.

Following the U.K.’s designation of Hamas’s political bureau as a terrorist organization in November 2021, al-Nunu claimed Haniyeh condemned the decision and seeks to enlist Arab, Islamic and international support to oppose the decision. However, al-Nunu also claimed the decision will not change anything as Hamas does not have a presence in the U.K.“Palestinian condemnations of the British decision to outlaw Hamas’ political bureau,” The Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, October 12, 2021, https://www.terrorism-info.org.il/en/palestinian-condemnations-of-the-british-decision-to-outlaw-hamas-political-bureau/. As of 2022, it is suspected that al-Nunu lives in Doha, Qatar.“Commanders in exile: Gazan faction heads quit the Strip,” I24 News, January 13, 2022, https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/middle-east/palestinian-territories/1642069442-commanders-in-exile-gazan-faction-heads-quit-the-strip.

Hamas continues to wage a vengeful campaign against Israel and on October 7, 2023, a day after the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur war, Hamas launched a massive attack on Israel that included hundreds of Hamas fighters ambushing more than a dozen Israeli communities and military bases within 15 miles of the Gaza border. Hamas militants also launched thousands of rockets reaching as far as Tel Aviv.Ammar Awad and Maayan Lubell, “Gunmen in homes, captives abducted leave Israelis in shock,” Reuters, October 7, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/gunmen-homes-captives-abducted-gaza-leave-israelis-shock-2023-10-07/. At least 800 people in Israel were killed and more than 1,000 were wounded in the first three days. Israel retaliated with airstrikes on in Gaza and on October 8, issued an official declaration of war.Tia Goldenberg and Wafaa Shurafa, “Israel declares war, bombards Gaza and battles to dislodge Hamas fighters after surprise attack,” Associated Press, October 8, 2023, https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-ca7903976387cfc1e1011ce9ea805a71.

Sources close to Hamas later told Reuters the terrorist group prepared for the operation for two years by constructing and training in mock settlements in Gaza.Samia Nakhoul and Jonathan Saul, “How Israel was duped as Hamas planned devastating assault,” Reuters, October 8, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/how-israel-was-duped-hamas-planned-devastating-assault-2023-10-08/. The Wall Street Journal reported several senior Hamas and Hezbollah sources confirmed the participation of officials from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in planning the attack in meetings in Beirut in August 2023. According to those officials, the IRGC had provided a greenlight for the attack in September.Ammar Awad and Maayan Lubell, “Gunmen in homes, captives abducted leave Israelis in shock,” Reuters, October 7, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/gunmen-homes-captives-abducted-gaza-leave-israelis-shock-2023-10-07/; Samia Nakhoul and Jonathan Saul, “How Israel was duped as Hamas planned devastating assault,” Reuters, October 8, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/how-israel-was-duped-hamas-planned-devastating-assault-2023-10-08/; Hadas Gold, Abeer Salman, Kareem Khadder, Paul P. Murphy, Allegra Goodwin, Benjamin Brown, and Sophie Tanno, “Festivalgoers, children, soldiers: What we know about the people captured by Hamas,” CNN, October 9, 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/08/europe/israel-hostages-hamas-what-we-know-intl/index.html; Summer Said, Benoit Faucon, and Stephen Kalin, “Iran Helped Plot Attack on Israel Over Several Weeks,” Wall Street Journal, October 8, 2023, https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/iran-israel-hamas-strike-planning-bbe07b25.

Samakh Saraj is a Gaza-based senior official in Hamas’s military leadership. Saraj directs Hamas’s cyberwarfare and counterintelligence unit in Istanbul, Turkey. He mainly reports to Yahya Sinwar, a senior Hamas leader with ties to the group’s political and military wings.

Unknown to the Turkish government, in 2018, Hamas set up a headquarters in Istanbul to carry out cyberwarfare and counterintelligence operations to target their enemies. The unit, which is run by Saraj who then reports to Sinwar, is separate from Hamas’s official offices. Saraj reportedly directs the unit’s activities from Gaza.Anshel Pfeffer, “Hamas uses secret cyberwar base in Turkey to target enemies,” The Times, October 22, 2020, https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/hamas-running-secret-cyberwar-hq-in-turkey-29mz50sxs.

Hamas continues to wage a vengeful campaign against Israel, and on October 7, 2023, a day after the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur war, Hamas launched a massive attack on Israel that included hundreds of Hamas fighters ambushing more than a dozen Israeli communities and military bases within 15 miles of the Gaza border. Hamas militants also launched thousands of rockets reaching as far as Tel Aviv.Ammar Awad and Maayan Lubell, “Gunmen in homes, captives abducted leave Israelis in shock,” Reuters, October 7, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/gunmen-homes-captives-abducted-gaza-leave-israelis-shock-2023-10-07/. At least 800 people in Israel were killed and more than 1,000 were wounded in the first three days. Israel retaliated with airstrikes on in Gaza and on October 8, issued an official declaration of war.Tia Goldenberg and Wafaa Shurafa, “Israel declares war, bombards Gaza and battles to dislodge Hamas fighters after surprise attack,” Associated Press, October 8, 2023, https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-ca7903976387cfc1e1011ce9ea805a71.

Sources close to Hamas later told Reuters the group prepared for the operation for two years by constructing and training in mock settlements in Gaza.Samia Nakhoul and Jonathan Saul, “How Israel was duped as Hamas planned devastating assault,” Reuters, October 8, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/how-israel-was-duped-hamas-planned-devastating-assault-2023-10-08/. The Wall Street Journal reported several senior Hamas and Hezbollah sources confirmed the participation of officials from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in planning the attack in meetings in Beirut in August 2023. According to those officials, the IRGC had provided a greenlight for the attack in September.Ammar Awad and Maayan Lubell, “Gunmen in homes, captives abducted leave Israelis in shock,” Reuters, October 7, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/gunmen-homes-captives-abducted-gaza-leave-israelis-shock-2023-10-07/; Samia Nakhoul and Jonathan Saul, “How Israel was duped as Hamas planned devastating assault,” Reuters, October 8, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/how-israel-was-duped-hamas-planned-devastating-assault-2023-10-08/; Hadas Gold, Abeer Salman, Kareem Khadder, Paul P. Murphy, Allegra Goodwin, Benjamin Brown, and Sophie Tanno, “Festivalgoers, children, soldiers: What we know about the people captured by Hamas,” CNN, October 9, 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/08/europe/israel-hostages-hamas-what-we-know-intl/index.html; Summer Said, Benoit Faucon, and Stephen Kalin, “Iran Helped Plot Attack on Israel Over Several Weeks,” Wall Street Journal, October 8, 2023, https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/iran-israel-hamas-strike-planning-bbe07b25.

Ziad al-Nakhalah is the U.S.-designated secretary-general of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), a Palestinian terrorist group largely based in the Gaza Strip. Nakhalah assumed the leadership of PIJ in September 2018 after serving as deputy secretary-general for more than two decades.“Iran-backed Palestinian Islamic Jihad names new leader,” Associated Press, September 28, 2018, https://apnews.com/d14e7e6a4a68481980b6db8052853f03; “Terrorist Designation of Ziyad al-Nakhalah,” U.S. Department of State, January 23, 2014, https://www.state.gov/j/ct/rls/other/des/266559.htm. He was reelected for a second four-year term in March 2023.“Islamic Jihad members re-elect Ziad Nakhala as secretary-general,” Middle East Monitor, March 6, 2023, https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230306-islamic-jihad-members-re-elect-ziad-nakhala-as-secretary-general/.

The U.S. Department of State has accused Nakhalah of cultivating “strong relations with the Government of Iran.”“Terrorist Designation of Ziyad al-Nakhalah,” U.S. Department of State, January 23, 2014, https://www.state.gov/j/ct/rls/other/des/266559.htm. After Nakhalah assumed the PIJ leadership in September 2018, the Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat wrote that Iran feared that newly appointed deputy secretary-general Mohammad al-Hindi was more sympathetic to the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas and might try to sway PIJ away from Iran’s influence. Iran allegedly preferred to have pro-Iran Nakhalah in the role of secretary-general with Hindi as his deputy in order to ensure the group’s continued allegiance. PIJ denied the reports.Ahmad Abu Amer, “Has Iran's influence increased in Palestinian arena?” Al-Monitor, October 16, 2018, https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2018/10/palestinian-islamic-jihad-elections-iran-influence.html.

Nakhalah has maintained ties between PIJ and Iran since his election. In December 2018, Nakhalah traveled to Tehran, where he met with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and praised Iran for its support of the Palestinian cause.“Iran’s Top Diplomat Meets PIJ Chief,” Iran Front Page, December 29, 2018, https://ifpnews.com/exclusive/irans-top-diplomat-meets-pij-chief/; Adam Kredo, “Iran Hosts Palestinian Terror Group, Sparking Fears of New Attacks,” Washington Free Beacon, January 2, 2019, https://freebeacon.com/national-security/iran-hosts-palestinian-terror-group-sparking-fears-of-new-attacks/. In 2014, the State Department accused Nakhalah of seeking to expand PIJ’s ties with Hamas.“Terrorist Designation of Ziyad al-Nakhalah,” U.S. Department of State, January 23, 2014, https://www.state.gov/j/ct/rls/other/des/266559.htm. In February 2019, Nakhalah reportedly met with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh to coordinate a response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s yet-to-be-revealed Middle East peace plan.Adnan Abu Amer, “What was Hamas’ Haniyeh doing in Egypt for 25 days?” Al-Monitor, March 20, 2019, https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/03/hamas-ismail-haniyeh-25-days-visit-egypt-release-detainees.html; “Press release issued by Hamas and Islamic Jihad on Egypt visit,” Hamas, February 5, 2019, http://hamas.ps/en/post/1895/press-release-issued-by-hamas-and-islamic-jihad-on-egypt-visit.

Nakhalah remains supportive of PIJ’s violent tactics. He personally claimed credit for PIJ missile attacks on Israel between 2008 and 2011.“Terrorist Designation of Ziyad al-Nakhalah,” U.S. Department of State, January 23, 2014, https://www.state.gov/j/ct/rls/other/des/266559.htm. In a December 2018 interview with Iranian TV channel al-Alam, Nakhalah praised the “axis of resistance” with Iran and Iran-backed Hezbollah. He warned of “strategic coordination” between PIJ and Hamas and a “joint operations room of the resistance factions.” He further warned Israel that PIJ’s fighters “will emerge from beneath the ground and from above the ground” to defeat Israel and cause it to “disappear.”Yoni Ben Menachem, “Islamic Jihad Leader: We Will Attack Israel from the North and South,” Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, January 1, 2019, http://jcpa.org/islamic-jihad-leader-we-will-attack-israel-from-the-north-and-south/.

Israel has twice arrested Nakhalah for participation in violent activities. Israeli authorities first jailed him in 1971 for participation with the Arab Liberation Front. He was released in 1985 as part of a prisoner exchange deal orchestrated by the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine.Shlomi Eldar, “Islamic Jihad, the new lord of Gaza?” Al-Monitor, February 5, 2019, https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/02/israel-egypt-gaza-strip-palestinians-hamas-islamic-jihad.html; Mohamed Majid and Ali Abo Rezeg, “Islamic Jihad's Ziad Nakhala: A lifetime of resistance,” Anadolu Agency, September 28, 2019, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/islamic-jihads-ziad-nakhala-a-lifetime-of-resistance/1267697. Israeli authorities arrested Nakhalah again in 1988 for his participation in the first Palestinian intifada (uprising) against Israel. Israel deported Nakhalah to Lebanon, where he became PIJ’s representative in Beirut.“Iran-backed Palestinian Islamic Jihad names new leader,” Associated Press, September 28, 2018, https://apnews.com/d14e7e6a4a68481980b6db8052853f03; Mohamed Majid and Ali Abo Rezeg, “Islamic Jihad's Ziad Nakhala: A lifetime of resistance,” Anadolu Agency, September 28, 2019, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/islamic-jihads-ziad-nakhala-a-lifetime-of-resistance/1267697. After the assassination of PIJ Secretary-General Fathi Shaqaqi in 1995, Ramadan Shallah became PIJ’s new secretary-general. Shallah subsequently appointed Nakhalah as his deputy secretary-general.Mohamed Majid and Ali Abo Rezeg, “Islamic Jihad's Ziad Nakhala: A lifetime of resistance,” Anadolu Agency, September 28, 2019, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/islamic-jihads-ziad-nakhala-a-lifetime-of-resistance/1267697.

In April 2018, Shallah reportedly fell into a coma following heart surgery in Lebanon.“Palestine’s Islamic Jihad denies leader was in coma in Lebanon,” Middle East Monitor, April 10, 2018, https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180410-palestines-islamic-jihad-denies-leader-was-in-coma-in-lebanon/. PIJ denied reports of Shallah’s illness but scheduled internal elections for a new secretary-general in September 2018. Nakhalah was elected PIJ’s new secretary-general on September 27, 2018.“Iran-backed Palestinian Islamic Jihad names new leader,” Associated Press, September 28, 2018, https://apnews.com/d14e7e6a4a68481980b6db8052853f03; “Palestine’s Islamic Jihad denies leader was in coma in Lebanon,” Middle East Monitor, April 10, 2018, https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180410-palestines-islamic-jihad-denies-leader-was-in-coma-in-lebanon/; “Palestinian Islamic Jihad chooses new leader, remains close to Iran,” Times of Israel, September 28, 2018, https://www.timesofisrael.com/palestinian-islamic-jihad-chooses-new-leader-remains-close-to-iran/; Ahmad Abu Amer, “Has Iran's influence increased in Palestinian arena?” Al-Monitor, October 16, 2018, https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2018/10/palestinian-islamic-jihad-elections-iran-influence.html. On March 3, 2023, PIJ announced Nakhalah had won reelection for a second four-year term as secretary-general. PIJ claimed a 95 percent voter turnout rate among eligible voters in Gaza and abroad.“Islamic Jihad members re-elect Ziad Nakhala as secretary-general,” Middle East Monitor, March 6, 2023, https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230306-islamic-jihad-members-re-elect-ziad-nakhala-as-secretary-general/.

On October 7, 2023, one day after the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War and as Israel is marking the Jewish holidays of Simchat Torah and Shabbat, Hamas launches a multi-pronged attack on Israel, resulting in hundreds of casualties and hostages taken into Gaza. At least 800 Israelis are killed and more than 1,000 wounded in the first three days of the conflict while Hamas takes at least 100 hostages in Gaza. On October 8, Nakhalah announces PIJ is also holding 30 Israeli hostages. During an October 9 phone call between Nakhalah and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Raisi praises the “brilliant and impressive victories” of the “Palestinian resistance.”Josef Federman and Issam Adwan, “Hamas surprise attack out of Gaza stuns Israel and leaves hundreds dead in fighting, retaliation,” Associated Press, October 7, 2023, https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-gaza-hamas-rockets-airstrikes-tel-aviv-11fb98655c256d54ecb5329284fc37d2; Gianluca Pacchiani, “Iran president praises ‘innovative operation’ in call with Islamic Jihad chief,” Times of Israel, October 9, 2023, https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/iran-president-praises-innovative-operation-in-call-with-islamic-jihad-chief/; Gianluca Pacchiani, “Islamic Jihad leader claims terror group is holding over 30 Israeli hostages,” Times of Israel, October 8, 2023, https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/islamic-jihad-leader-claims-terror-group-is-holding-over-30-israeli-hostages/; Gianluca Pacchiani, “Iran president praises ‘innovative operation’ in call with Islamic Jihad chief,” Times of Israel, October 9, 2023, https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/iran-president-praises-innovative-operation-in-call-with-islamic-jihad-chief/.

Shortly after, on October 25, 2023, Nakhalah met with Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and deputy Hamas leader Saleh al-Arouri at an undisclosed location. According to a statement released by Hezbollah, the three reportedly discussed what was required from the alliance to “achieve a real victory for the resistance” in Gaza.“Hezbollah, Hamas and Islamic Jihad leaders discuss how to achieve ‘victory,’” Reuters, October 25, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hezbollah-chief-meets-top-palestinian-leaders-2023-10-25/; David Averre, “Head of Hezbollah meets with leaders of Hamas and Islamic Jihad to discuss how to ‘achieve victory for the resistance against Israel’ in Gaza,” Daily Mail (London), October 25, 2023, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12669947/hezbollah-meet-hamas-islamic-jihad-israel-war-gaza-victory.html. The “resistance” refers to an alliance of Iran-supporting groups—including Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, the PIJ, and other Shiite armed groups across Syria and Iraq—that have described themselves as the “Axis of Resistance” to U.S. and Israeli influence in the Middle East.“What is Iran's ‘Axis of Resistance?,’” Reuters, April 13, 2024, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/what-is-irans-axis-resistance-which-groups-are-involved-2024-01-29/.

On November 22, 2023, Israel and Hamas agreed to a temporary four-day ceasefire, during which Hamas would release at least 50 women and children held hostage in Gaza, while Israel would also release 150 Palestinian women and minors imprisoned in Israel. The Qatar-negotiated ceasefire went into effect on November 24 although both Israel and Hamas maintained the ceasefire would not halt their respective larger missions.“Israel-Hamas war: Four-day truce agreed, 50 hostages to go free,” Reuters, November 22, 2023, https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-government-debates-deal-release-gaza-hostages-truce-2023-11-21/. The day the ceasefire took effect, Nakhalah delivered a televised address claiming that Israel failed to achieve its stated goals and that “had it not been for the losses on the battlefield, the Zionist regime would not have agreed to the ceasefire agreement and the exchange of prisoners.” Nakhalah further stated that the resistance front would continue fighting to “prevent the enemy from reaching its objectives.”“Ziyad al-Nakhalah: Israel failed to achieve goals as four-day truce in Gaza takes effect,” Nour News, November 24, 2023, https://nournews.ir/en/news/155887/Ziyad-al-Nakhalah-Israel-failed-to-achieve-goals-as-four-day-truce-in-Gaza-takes-effect.

Nakhalah maintained close communication with Hamas, and on February 2, 2024, Nakhalah met with Haniyeh at an undisclosed location to discuss a ceasefire proposal. The conditions outlined in the proposal include the complete end to the alleged Israeli aggression, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, continued delivery of humanitarian aid, the return of displaced people, and reaching a comprehensive exchange deal. “Haniyeh, Al-Nakhleh: ‘Resistance factions will advocate for protection of Palestine,’” Middle East Monitor,  February 3, 2024, https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20240203-haniyeh-al-nakhleh-resistance-factions-will-advocate-for-protection-of-palestine/. Nakhalah shortly after met with Hezbollah’s Nasrallah on February 12 at an undisclosed location where they discussed current, as well as expected, on the ground developments in Gaza.“Hezbollah’s Nasrallah met with Islamic Jihad’s Nakhaleh, terror group says,” Times of Israel, February 12, 2024, https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/hezbollahs-nasrallah-met-with-islamic-jihads-nakhaleh-terror-group-says/.

On March 28, Nakhalah met with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran. During the meeting, Khamenei lauded the actions of the Axis of Resistance and criticized the leaders of other Muslim-majority countries for what he called their “passivity and lack of action.”“Head of Palestinian Islamic Jihad meets Iran’s supreme leader,” Middle East Eye, March 28, 2024, https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/head-palestinian-islamic-jihad-meets-irans-supreme-leader. Nakhalah met with Haniyeh again on March 29 in Tehran. A Hamas statement afterward claimed that the two reiterated the conditions set out in the February 2024 proposal and further stressed intensifying the resistance and its actions in all forms.“Iran-backed Palestinian leader vows victory over Israel in the war in Gaza,” Associated Press, March 30, 2024, https://apnews.com/article/iran-palestinians-leader-israel-islamic-jihad-nakhalah-d507575f170f47e87432a48d4606ec03.

On April 13, 2024, Nakhalah spoke with the Iranian website khamenei.ir, where he extolled the strength of the Axis of Resistance. He further claimed the United States is seeking to find a way to withdraw Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, noting that the resistance groups have “united” toward claiming a final victory.“US seeking to withdraw Israeli forces from Gaza after failing to achieve goals: Islamic Jihad,” Press TV, April 13, 2024, https://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2024/04/13/723620/Palestine-Israel-Gaza-war-Islamic-Jihad-Ziyad-al-Nakhaleh-US-negotiation-withdraw-Israeli-troops. That same day, the Israeli army released an eight-minute-long interrogation video of PIJ political bureau spokesman Tariq Salami Otha Abu Shlouf, who was arrested at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza in late March with 358 other Hamas and PIJ officials. During the interrogation, Shlouf claimed that PIJ falsifies narratives on Arabic and international media regarding what happens on the ground in Gaza. He further claimed the group used all of Gaza’s hospitals and ambulances during the entirety of the war. Accordingly, he further noted that Nakhalah maintained daily contact with PIJ’s communications department to ensure that certain stories were retracted or pushed out by journalists to maintain a specific narrative of the Hamas-Israel war.Ruth Marks Eglash, “Palestinian Islamic Jihad spokesman reveals group’s Gaza propaganda playbook,” Fox News, April 13, 2024, https://www.foxnews.com/world/palestinian-islamic-jihad-spokesman-reveals-groups-gaza-propaganda-playbook.

Abu Hafs al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi is the leader of ISIS. Following the death of former ISIS leader Abu al-Hussain al-Hussaini al-Qurashi in the first half of 2023, al-Qurayshi was announced as the new caliph on August 3, 2023.Jared Malsin, “Islamic State Confirms Top Leader Is Dead,” Wall Street Journal, August 3. 2023, https://www.wsj.com/articles/islamic-state-confirms-top-leader-is-dead-dfc114a3.

Not much is known about al-Qurayshi and the exact timeline of his appointment as ISIS leader. Although Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) claimed to have killed Abu al-Hussain in northern Syria on April 29, 2023,“Turkey Offers Details Of Islamic State Chief's Death,”Agence France Presse, May 1, 2023, https://www.barrons.com/news/turkey-offers-details-of-islamic-state-chief-s-death-cf5480ac; “ISIS chief killed in Syria by Turkey's intelligence agency, Erdogan says,” CBS News, April 30, 2023, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/isis-leader-abu-hussein-al-qurashi-killed-erdogan-syria-turkey-intelligence-agency/. ISIS did not confirm Abu al-Hussain’s death until August 3, 2023. In the audio statement, an ISIS spokesman announced that Abu al-Hussain was killed in clashes with a rival group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Details regarding the location and timeline of Abu al-Hussain’s death remain unclear, although HTS controls part of northwestern Syria. The group also announced the appointment of al-Qurayshi as the group’s new leader.Jared Malsin, “Islamic State Confirms Top Leader Is Dead,” Wall Street Journal, August 3. 2023, https://www.wsj.com/articles/islamic-state-confirms-top-leader-is-dead-dfc114a3.

Khaled Hussein is allegedly a member of the London-based Islamic Thinkers Society, an alias for al-Muhajiroun, a U.K.-designated terror group. Hussein, a Canadian national, is reportedly a close associate of former al-Muhajiroun leader Anjem Choudary, an internationally designated Islamist cleric and convicted ISIS supporter.Peter Zimonjic, “Canadian, 28, charged under U.K. terrorism act after arrest at Heathrow,” CBC News, July 24, 2023, https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/anjem-choudary-khaled-hussein-charged-1.6915737.

According to media reports, Hussein is a resident of Edmonton, Canada and had joined al-Muhajiroun sometime around 2021. At some point after joining the group, Hussein reportedly became a close associate of Choudary and, according to court records, was “in effect working for him.”Peter Zimonjic, “Canadian, 28, charged under U.K. terrorism act after arrest at Heathrow,” CBC News, July 24, 2023, https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/anjem-choudary-khaled-hussein-charged-1.6915737. During his time with al-Muhajiroun, Hussein primarily focused on work in “the online space to provide a platform for the words and messages of the organisation.”Tristan Kirk, “Anjem Choudary in court over claims he ‘directed’ a terrorist group, Evening Standard, July 24, 2023, https://uk.movies.yahoo.com/anjem-choudary-court-over-claims-070902679.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAE__JZUPlsbCKnnJ-LpT7xJbJx61tShxEylpDuGuqWuf1eaECOHUQxyuz2CRKfyco5rP1rwWQfOaWOYWQXxySKgfef-UZWsrDSlDeEOoG0PL4DEM_bJ0ILGwB5ppk6b8w_6wVa-MPAm7FXZdVTZjEg-IJjZ7xsOcWeJkjouZhqQM.

Under two aliases—Al Ghurabaa and Saved Sect—al-Muhajiroun was first proscribed by the U.K. in 2006 for glorifying terrorism.“Explanatory Memorandum To The Terrorism Act 2000 (Proscribed Organisations) (Amendment) Order 2006,” U.K. Home Office, July 2006,  https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2006/2016/pdfs/uksiem_20062016_en.pdf. The ban was further expanded in 2010 to include other aliases of the group, including al-Muhajiroun.Sean Seddon and Daniel Sandford, “Anjem Choudary in court over 'terror group' charges,” July 24, 2023, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-66287379.

Following an investigation into al-Muhajiroun membership, U.K. counterterrorism detectives arrested Hussein on July 17, 2023, at London’s Heathrow Airport. Hussein was charged with suspicion of terrorism offenses.Peter Zimonjic, “Canadian, 28, charged under U.K. terrorism act after arrest at Heathrow,” CBC News, July 24, 2023, https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/anjem-choudary-khaled-hussein-charged-1.6915737. Choudary was arrested at his London home that same day.“Radical British preacher Anjem Choudary is charged with directing a terrorist organization,” Associated Press, July 24, 2023, https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/radical-british-preacher-anjem-choudary-charged-directing-terrorist-101606712.

On July 24, 2023, England’s Crown Prosecution Service charged Hussein with membership in a proscribed organization.Peter Zimonjic, “Canadian, 28, charged under U.K. terrorism act after arrest at Heathrow,” CBC News, July 24, 2023, https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/anjem-choudary-khaled-hussein-charged-1.6915737. Both men are scheduled to appear at the Central Criminal Court in London on August 4, 2023.Peter Zimonjic, “Canadian, 28, charged under U.K. terrorism act after arrest at Heathrow,” CBC News, July 24, 2023, https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/anjem-choudary-khaled-hussein-charged-1.6915737. According to the U.K. Terrorism Act 2000, those found guilty of membership in a proscribed organization face a maximum of 14 years in prison.Peter Zimonjic, “Canadian, 28, charged under U.K. terrorism act after arrest at Heathrow,” CBC News, July 24, 2023, https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/anjem-choudary-khaled-hussein-charged-1.6915737; “Terrorism Act 2000,” U.K. Legislation, July 24, 2023, https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2000/11/section/11.

Abdullahi Osman Mohamed is a U.S.-designated al-Shabaab senior explosives expert.“Abdullahi Osman Mohamed,” Rewards for Justice, July 15, 2023, https://rewardsforjustice.net/rewards/abdullahi-osman-mohamed/. The U.S. Department of State designated Mohamed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) on November 17, 2020.“State Department Designates Two Senior Al-Shabaab Leaders as Terrorists,” U.S. Department of State, November 17, 2020, https://www.state.gov/state-department-designates-two-senior-al-shabaab-leaders-as-terrorists/.

Mohamed first joined al-Kataib, the media wing of al-Shabaab, in 2008. Since at least 2020, Mohamed has served as the leader of al-Kataib.“Abdullahi Osman Mohamed,” Rewards for Justice, July 15, 2023, https://rewardsforjustice.net/rewards/abdullahi-osman-mohamed/; “Abdullahi Osman Mohamed Caddow,” United Nations Security Council, May 26, 2023, https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/content/abdullahi-osman-mohamed-caddow. Mohamed also reportedly serves as special adviser to the emir (leader) of al-Shabaab. Due to Mohamed’s rising profile within al-Shabaab, on November 17, 2020, the U.S. Department of State designated Mohamed as an SDGT.“State Department Designates Two Senior Al-Shabaab Leaders as Terrorists,” U.S. Department of State, November 17, 2020, https://2017-2021.state.gov/state-department-designates-two-senior-al-shabaab-leaders-as-terrorists/.

In 2014, Mohamed became a member of the explosives manufacturing unit, where he operated in explosive preparation centers across Somalia in Jilib, Bul aale, Saakoow, Salagle, Kuunyo-Barrow, and Arabow. Mohamed proved to be proficient in his role, as he eventually came to command a team of 68 al-Shabaab operatives. Under Mohamed, al-Shabaab smuggles around $6 million per year from explosives manufacturing materials.“Abdullahi Osman Mohamed Caddow,” United Nations Security Council, May 26, 2023, https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/content/abdullahi-osman-mohamed-caddow.

Given Mohamed’s various high-status positions within the terrorist organization, on May 26, 2023, the U.N. Security Council added Mohamed to its sanctions list for his role in threatening the peace, security, and stability of Somalia and Kenya.“Abdullahi Osman Mohamed Caddow,” United Nations Security Council, May 26, 2023, https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/content/abdullahi-osman-mohamed-caddow. As al-Shabaab continues to wage a protracted insurgency in Somalia and Kenya, on June 15, 2023, the U.S. Department of State’s Rewards for Justice Program offered $5 million for information leading to the arrest of Mohamed.“Abdullahi Osman Mohamed,” Rewards for Justice, July 15, 2023, https://rewardsforjustice.net/rewards/abdullahi-osman-mohamed/.