Hamas prisoners elect leadership behind bars
Despite being locked away in Israeli prisons, Hamas members elect a new leadership body every two years that wields great influence within the movement and participates in its major decisions.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Hamas members incarcerated in Israeli prisons held elections Dec. 10 to choose the leadership body representing them to the Israel Prison Service (IPS).
The elected members, all prisoners, are in charge of organizing the administrative, cultural, political and financial affairs for Hamas prisoners.
The new body, which includes prominent figures from Hamas’ armed wing the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, will serve from Jan. 1, 2021, to the end of 2023. The elections are held every two years.
The newly elected members include Salama al-Qatawi as president and Abdel Nasser Issa as his deputy. The other members are Mohammad Arman, Hassan Salama, Jamal al-Tawil, Salim Hajjah, Ashraf Zughayer, Moammar al-Shahroury, Munir Merhi, Islam Jarrar and Musaab Abu Shekhidem.
