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| name = Ghāzi Hamad
| name = Ghāzi Hamad
| native_name = غازي حمد
| native_name = غازي حمد
| birth_date = 1964 <!-- {{Birth date and age|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| birth_date = {{birth year and age|1964}}<!-- {{Birth date and age|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| birth_place = [[Yibna refugee camp, Occupied Palestine ]]{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}}
| birth_place = Yibna refugee camp, [[Gaza Strip]]
| death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
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'''Ghāzi Hamad''' ({{lang-ar| غازي حمد }}; born 1964) is a senior [[Hamas]] member. He formerly was chairman of the border crossings authority in the [[Gaza Strip]] and Deputy Foreign Minister in the [[Hamas government of 2012]].<ref name="Asharq 2012-09-05">[https://web.archive.org/web/20121205170941/http://www.asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=1&id=30949 ''Hamas seeks to enter the world of diplomacy'']. Saleh al-Naami, Asharq Al-Awsat, 5 September 2012</ref><ref name="Maariv 2012-11-16">{{cite news |last=Eldar |first=Shlomi |title=Hamas' Leadership Crisis May Spell Radicalization |newspaper=Maariv |date=16 November 2012 |via=Al-Monitor |url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/security/01/11/the-day-after-jabari.html |accessdate=16 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121121015319/http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/security/01/11/the-day-after-jabari.html |archive-date=21 November 2012}}</ref>
'''Ghāzi Hamad''' ({{lang-ar|غازي حمد}}; born 1964) is a senior [[Hamas]] member. He formerly was chairman of the border crossings authority in the [[Gaza Strip]] and Deputy Foreign Minister in the [[Hamas government of 2012]].<ref name="Asharq 2012-09-05">[https://web.archive.org/web/20121205170941/http://www.asharq-e.com/news.asp?section=1&id=30949 ''Hamas seeks to enter the world of diplomacy'']. Saleh al-Naami, Asharq Al-Awsat, 5 September 2012</ref><ref name="Maariv 2012-11-16">{{cite news |last=Eldar |first=Shlomi |title=Hamas' Leadership Crisis May Spell Radicalization |newspaper=Maariv |date=16 November 2012 |via=Al-Monitor |url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/security/01/11/the-day-after-jabari.html |accessdate=16 December 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121121015319/http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/security/01/11/the-day-after-jabari.html |archive-date=21 November 2012}}</ref>


According to the ''New York Times'', Hamad left Gaza for [[ Hamas in Lebanon | Lebanon ]] weeks before the [[2023 Hamas attack on Israel|Hamas 7 October 2023 attack upon Israel]] that triggered the [[2023 Israel–Hamas war]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kingsley |first=Patrick |date=2023-11-19 |title=For Years, Two Men Shuttled Messages Between Israel and Hamas. No Longer. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/19/world/middleeast/israel-hamas-back-channel-gershon-hamad.html |access-date=2023-11-22 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
According to the ''New York Times'', Hamad left Gaza for [[Hamas in Lebanon|Lebanon]] weeks before the [[2023 Hamas attack on Israel|Hamas 7 October 2023 attack upon Israel]] that triggered the [[2023 Israel–Hamas war]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kingsley |first=Patrick |date=2023-11-19 |title=For Years, Two Men Shuttled Messages Between Israel and Hamas. No Longer. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/19/world/middleeast/israel-hamas-back-channel-gershon-hamad.html |access-date=2023-11-22 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>


==Early life==
==Early life==
Hamad was born in 1964 in the [[Yibna refugee camp]], located along Gaza's border with [[Egypt]] at [[Rafah Governorate]].{{Citation needed|date=April 2024}} In 1981 (aged 16 or 17), Hamad became member of [[Hamas]].<ref name="PBS 2006-04-24">{{cite web|last=Warner|first=Margaret |authorlink=Margaret Warner |title=Palestinians Prepare for Elections|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/middle_east/jan-june06/palestine_1-24.html|work=PBS|accessdate=16 December 2012|date=24 January 2006|archive-date=29 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121129103257/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/middle_east/jan-june06/palestine_1-24.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Originally from [[Yibna]], Hamad was born in 1964 in the Yibna refugee camp, located along Gaza's border with [[Egypt]] at [[Rafah Governorate]].<ref name="auto1"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.alaraby.co.uk/politics/غازي-حمد-لـالعربي-الجديد-تصور-الاحتلال-يختلف-عن-مبادرة-بايدن |script-title=ar:غازي حمد لـ"العربي الجديد": تصور الاحتلال الجديد يختلف عن مبادرة بايدن |publisher=alaraby.co.uk |language=ar |date=9 June 2024 }}</ref> His father, a member of [[Palestinian fedayeen]], was executed in the 1970s.<ref name="auto1"/> In 1982, Hamad joined [[Hamas]], an affiliate of the [[Muslim Brotherhood]], by taking an [[Bay'ah|oath of allegiance]] to one of its founders Issa al-Nashar.<ref name="PBS 2006-04-24">{{cite web|last=Warner|first=Margaret |authorlink=Margaret Warner |title=Palestinians Prepare for Elections|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/middle_east/jan-june06/palestine_1-24.html|work=PBS|accessdate=16 December 2012|date=24 January 2006|archive-date=29 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121129103257/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/middle_east/jan-june06/palestine_1-24.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="auto1">{{cite web |url=https://alresalah.ps/post/138484/غازي-حمد-من-حارات-يبنا-إلى-الغرب-سفير-ا-لحماس |script-title=ar:غازي حمد.. من حارات "يبنا" إلى الغرب سفيرًا لحماس |publisher=alresalah.ps |language=ar |date=5 April 2016 }}</ref>


He earned a [[bachelor's degree]] in [[veterinary medicine]] in [[Sudan]].<ref name=Libération>{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Clémence |title=«Israël n'a pas sa place sur notre terre» : qui est Ghazi Hamad, la «voix du Hamas» depuis le massacre du 7 octobre ? |trans-title='Israel has no place on our land': who is Ghazi Hamad, the 'voice of Hamas' since the October 7 massacre? |url=https://www.liberation.fr/checknews/israel-na-pas-sa-place-sur-notre-terre-qui-est-ghazi-hamad-la-voix-du-hamas-depuis-le-massacre-du-7-octobre-20231103_Z6ZD7UK24JBYVAHSCDKYYS5K7Y/ |access-date=2023-11-06 |website=Libération |language=fr}}</ref><ref name="NYT1119" /> He speaks both [[English language|English]] and [[Hebrew]] in addition to his native [[Arabic]], having learnt both languages while imprisoned in Israel.<ref name="Haaretz 2012-12-16">{{cite news|title=IDF refrains from response to Gaza rocket fire as border violence cools|url=http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/idf-refrains-from-response-to-gaza-rocket-fire-as-border-violence-cools-1.355219|access-date=16 December 2012|newspaper=Haaretz|date=11 April 2011|first1=Anshel |last1=Pfeffer |author1-link=Anshel Pfeffer |first2=Barak |last2=Ravid |author2-link=Barak Ravid |first3=Jack |last3=Khoury}}</ref><ref name="NYT1119" />
He earned a [[bachelor's degree]] in [[veterinary medicine]] in [[Sudan]].<ref name=Libération>{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Clémence |title=«Israël n'a pas sa place sur notre terre» : qui est Ghazi Hamad, la «voix du Hamas» depuis le massacre du 7 octobre ? |trans-title='Israel has no place on our land': who is Ghazi Hamad, the 'voice of Hamas' since the October 7 massacre? |url=https://www.liberation.fr/checknews/israel-na-pas-sa-place-sur-notre-terre-qui-est-ghazi-hamad-la-voix-du-hamas-depuis-le-massacre-du-7-octobre-20231103_Z6ZD7UK24JBYVAHSCDKYYS5K7Y/ |access-date=2023-11-06 |website=Libération |language=fr}}</ref><ref name="NYT1119" /> He speaks both [[English language|English]] and [[Hebrew]] in addition to his native [[Arabic]], having learnt both languages while imprisoned in Israel.<ref name="Haaretz 2012-12-16">{{cite news|title=IDF refrains from response to Gaza rocket fire as border violence cools|url=http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/idf-refrains-from-response-to-gaza-rocket-fire-as-border-violence-cools-1.355219|access-date=16 December 2012|newspaper=Haaretz|date=11 April 2011|first1=Anshel |last1=Pfeffer |author1-link=Anshel Pfeffer |first2=Barak |last2=Ravid |author2-link=Barak Ravid |first3=Jack |last3=Khoury}}</ref><ref name="NYT1119" />

Revision as of 11:07, 29 June 2024

Ghāzi Hamad
غازي حمد
Personal details
Born1964 (age 59–60)
Yibna refugee camp, Gaza Strip
NationalityPalestinian
Political partyHamas

Ghāzi Hamad (Arabic: غازي حمد; born 1964) is a senior Hamas member. He formerly was chairman of the border crossings authority in the Gaza Strip and Deputy Foreign Minister in the Hamas government of 2012.[1][2]

According to the New York Times, Hamad left Gaza for Lebanon weeks before the Hamas 7 October 2023 attack upon Israel that triggered the 2023 Israel–Hamas war.[3]

Early life

Originally from Yibna, Hamad was born in 1964 in the Yibna refugee camp, located along Gaza's border with Egypt at Rafah Governorate.[4][5] His father, a member of Palestinian fedayeen, was executed in the 1970s.[4] In 1982, Hamad joined Hamas, an affiliate of the Muslim Brotherhood, by taking an oath of allegiance to one of its founders Issa al-Nashar.[6][4]

He earned a bachelor's degree in veterinary medicine in Sudan.[7][8] He speaks both English and Hebrew in addition to his native Arabic, having learnt both languages while imprisoned in Israel.[9][8]

Hamad was imprisoned by Israel from 1989 to 1994, and several times by the Palestinian Authority (PA) during the 1990s.[10]

Journalism

Hamad was editor-in-chief of Hamas weekly publication al-Watan until its closure in February 1996 after repeated pressure and suspensions by the Palestinian Authority. Hamad subsequently became editor-in-chief of Hamas-affiliated publication al-Risala (The Message) on 1 January 1997, which while critical of the PA, avoided issues considered too incendiary.[11] As editor of al-Risala, Hamad was imprisoned multiple times for publishing articles critical to the reputation of the PA, particularly its prison system.[12]

Hamas political activity

As of October 2004, Hamad was the head of the Islamic Salvation Party, formed in the 1990s and considered an unofficial political wing of Hamas that is more pragmatic than the Hamas rank and file.[13]

Hamad assumed the role of “the new public face” (spokesman) for Hamas in January 2006.[6]

In August 2006, he wrote an article for Al Ayyam, a Palestinian daily newspaper, stating that "Gaza is suffering under the yoke of anarchy and the swords of thugs", and "[i]t is strange that, when a big effort is taken to reopen Rafah crossing to ease the suffering of the people, you see others who go to shell rockets towards the crossing. Or when someone talks about cease-fire and its importance, you find those who go and shell more rockets. Of course, I do not deny that the occupation committed massacres that cannot be justified. But I support negotiations over what can be fixed."[14]

In 2006, Hamad was quoted as saying "Israel should be wiped from the face of the Earth. It is an animal state that recognizes no human worth. It is a cancer that should be eradicated."[15][16]

On 31 May 2007, Hamad stated his willingness to accept a Palestinian state[17] within the pre-1967 borders. On 23 September 2011, after Mahmoud Abbas formally asked the United Nations for Palestinian statehood, Hamad stated that Hamas was not consulted, and that the Palestinian territories were ill-prepared for it.[18]

Statements since the 2023 Hamas–Israel war

On 24 October 2023, while member of the decison-making Hamas Political Bureau,[7] in an interview for the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation (LBC), Hamad reiterated that Israel should be destroyed, and stated that Hamas should repeat the 7 October 2023 attacks, using its Hamas-given operational name: "We must teach Israel a lesson, and we will do it twice and three times. The al-Aqsa Deluge is just the first time."[19]

He also claimed that Hamas did not intend to harm civilians, but there were "complications" on the ground.[19]

Hamad also said: "We are the victims of the occupation. Period. Therefore, nobody should blame us for the things we do. On October 7, October 10, October one-millionth, everything we do is justified."[19]

Dialogue with Gershon Baskin

For many years, Hamad maintained an amicable back channel dialogue with Israeli peace activist Gershon Baskin, which came to an end after the 7 October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.[8] Their behind-the-scenes negotiations led to the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in 2011.[8] In October 2023, Baskin noted that Hamad’s statements on 24 October 2023 about the Al-Aqsa Flood of 7 October (see above) had struck him as “a betrayal” because it shattered his idea of Hamad as a “moderate” Hamas member and a “thoughtful observer”. However, by early 2024, Hamad and Baskin had both decided to reconnect. “The first communication was about two months ago, which was an unpleasant back and forth,” Baskin told The Guardian in March 2024. “The basic question is, could it be possible for us to have a constructive role [in making] a secret back channel,” Baskin added. “It’s not yet clear.”[20]

See also

Wikiquote has quotations related to Ghazi Hamad.

References

  1. ^ Hamas seeks to enter the world of diplomacy. Saleh al-Naami, Asharq Al-Awsat, 5 September 2012
  2. ^ Eldar, Shlomi (16 November 2012). "Hamas' Leadership Crisis May Spell Radicalization". Maariv. Archived from the original on 21 November 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2012 – via Al-Monitor.
  3. ^ Kingsley, Patrick (19 November 2023). "For Years, Two Men Shuttled Messages Between Israel and Hamas. No Longer". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
  4. ^ a b c غازي حمد.. من حارات "يبنا" إلى الغرب سفيرًا لحماس (in Arabic). alresalah.ps. 5 April 2016.
  5. ^ غازي حمد لـ"العربي الجديد": تصور الاحتلال الجديد يختلف عن مبادرة بايدن (in Arabic). alaraby.co.uk. 9 June 2024.
  6. ^ a b Warner, Margaret (24 January 2006). "Palestinians Prepare for Elections". PBS. Archived from the original on 29 November 2012. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  7. ^ a b Martin, Clémence. "«Israël n'a pas sa place sur notre terre» : qui est Ghazi Hamad, la «voix du Hamas» depuis le massacre du 7 octobre ?" ['Israel has no place on our land': who is Ghazi Hamad, the 'voice of Hamas' since the October 7 massacre?]. Libération (in French). Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  8. ^ a b c d Kingsley, Patrick (19 November 2023). "For Years, Two Men Shuttled Messages Between Israel and Hamas. No Longer". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 19 November 2023. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  9. ^ Pfeffer, Anshel; Ravid, Barak; Khoury, Jack (11 April 2011). "IDF refrains from response to Gaza rocket fire as border violence cools". Haaretz. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  10. ^ "Ghazi Hamad: Hamas has become more pragmatic". Al Jazeera English. 14 October 2004. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  11. ^ Jamal, Amal (Spring 2000). "The Palestinian Media: An Obedient Servant or a Vanguard of Democracy?". Journal of Palestine Studies. 29 (3): 45–59. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  12. ^ Schenker, David (September 1999). "The Palestinian Authority, a Hybrid Creation". Middle East Quarterly. Retrieved 16 December 2012.
  13. ^ El-Haddad, Laila (14 October 2004). "Ghazi Hamad: Hamas has become more pragmatic". Al Jazeera English. Archived from the original on 3 September 2006. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
  14. ^ Erlanger, Steven (28 August 2006). "From Hamas Figure, an Unusual Self-Criticism". The New York Times.
  15. ^ "Israeli shelling kills 18 in Gaza". BBC News. 8 November 2006. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  16. ^ Waked, Ali (8 November 2006). "Hamas: Israel must be wiped out". Ynetnews. Retrieved 6 November 2023.
  17. ^ "Ghazi Hamad: Stephen Sackur talks to a senior spokesman for Hamas about the ongoing violence in Gaza and the options for resolving the situation". BBC News. 31 May 2007.
  18. ^ "OPT: Top Hamas official criticizes Palestinian bid for statehood". IRIN, the humanitarian news and analysis service of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. 23 September 2011. Archived from the original on 26 September 2011.
  19. ^ a b c Pacchiani, Gianluca. "Hamas official says group will repeat Oct. 7 attack 'twice and three times' to destroy Israel". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  20. ^ Leifer, Joshua (21 March 2024). "What is the real Hamas?". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 27 April 2024. He [Hamad] said that "Al-Aqsa Flood", Hamas's name for its armed offensive, "is just the first time, and there will be a second, a third, a fourth". Once considered a thoughtful observer of Palestinian politics, Hamad now declared that "nobody should blame us for what we do – on 7 October, on 10 October, on October 1,000,000. Everything we do is justified." To Baskin, this did not sound like the man he had come to know. The proclamations by Hamad, "thought to be one of the most moderate people in Hamas", Baskin noted, landed like a betrayal.


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