Nizar Awadallah (Arabic: نزار عوض الله, born December 11, 1957) is a Palestinian politician who is serving as the member of Hamas Political Bureau in the Gaza Strip since 2009.[2][3][4]
Nizar Awadallah | |
|---|---|
نزار عوض الله | |
| Member of Hamas Political Bureau[1] | |
| Assumed office 2009 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1957 (age 66–67) Hamama,  Egyptian-occupied Gaza Strip |
| Political party |  Hamas |
| Education | Ain Shams University |
Biography
editNizar Awadallah was born in the Gaza Strip in 1957.[5][6] His family originates from the Palestinian town of Hamama,[7] which became Northern Ashkelon after 1948. Awadallah studied civil engineering at Ain Shams University in Cairo.[8] He served as the secretary of an organization called Mujama al-Islamiya, also known as the Islamic Centre, and is considered close to Sheikh Ahmed Yassin. He was arrested and imprisoned for six years (1989–1995) in an Israeli prison due to his involvement in an armed group called Mujahadin al-Filastayeen, translated as ‘Palestinian Holy Warriors’.[9] He was assigned to lead the Hamas movement after the movement's victory in the 2006 legislative elections. He led the negotiations on behalf of Hamas in the Gilad Shalit deal. He was elected a member of the Hamas Political Bureau in 2009. His house was bombed by Israeli Air Force planes during the 2008–2009 Gaza war and the 2014 Gaza War.[10]
Career
edit- Member of Hamas's Political Bureau (2009-Now)
- Secretary of Mujama al-Islamiya
- Head of Mujama al-Islamiya
- Arrested for 6 years (1989–1995) as an official responsible for organizing the Palestinian Mujahideen in the Hamas movement.
In the internal elections for the leadership of the Hamas government in Gaza, held on March 9, 2021, he defeated Yahya Sinwar in the first round by a margin of 7 votes. Sinwar defeated him in the fourth round.[11][12]
On December 13, 2023, the US Department of the Treasury designated Nizar Awadallah as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist linked to Hamas.[13]
In December 2023, it was reported that Awadallah was killed in an airstrike as part of the Israel–Hamas war.[14][15] According to another report, he was seriously injured. Awadallah's death was not confirmed by Hamas nor the IDF.
References
edit- ^ "Israeli occupation's threats against Hamas officials reflect political impasse". Hamas. 25 September 2022. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
- ^ "Nizar Mohammed Awadallah". OpenSanctions.org. 1957-12-11. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
- ^ "Nizar Awadallah". ECFR. 2018-03-29. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
- ^ "Nizar Awadallah". Counter Extremism Project. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
- ^ "Nizar Mohammed Awadallah". OpenSanctions.org. 1957-12-11. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
- ^ "Nizar Awadallah". ECFR. 2018-03-29. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
- ^ NewsDesk, Israel (2021-03-09). "Who are you, Nizar Awadallah? The man who could replace Sinwar led by Hamas – Profile". IsraelNational.News. Retrieved 2024-01-27.
- ^ "حركة المقاومة الإسلامية - حماس -". 2017-03-30. Archived from the original on 2017-03-30. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
- ^ "أعضاء المكتب السياسي - نزار عوض الله" [Nizar Awadallah – political office member (hamas.ps)]. web.archive.org. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
- ^ "حركة المقاومة الإسلامية - حماس -". 2017-07-18. Archived from the original on 2017-07-18. Retrieved 2024-05-12.
- ^ "Sinwar wins 2nd term as Hamas Gaza chief after tense election standoff". The Times of Israel.
- ^ "Yahya Sinwar wins reelection as Hamas leader in Gaza". Ynetnews. 2021-03-10. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
- ^ "Counter Terrorism Designations | Office of Foreign Assets Control". ofac.treasury.gov. Retrieved 2024-01-30.
- ^ Observer, Santa Monica. "Senior Hamas Political Leaders Nizar Awadallah, Mahmoud al-Zahar Killed by Israel Defense Forces in Khan Yunis Airstrike". Santa Monica Observer. Retrieved 2024-01-31.
- ^ ""Senior Hamas Political Leader Nizar Awadallah Killed by Israel Defense Forces in Khan Yunis Airstrike" – canadafreepress".