Jamila Abdallah Taha al-Shanti (Arabic: جميلة عبد الله طه الشنطي; 15 March 1955 – 19 October 2023) was a Palestinian politician who was a member of Hamas who had previously been a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council. She was killed in an Israeli strike on Gaza on 19 October 2023, during the 2023 Israel–Hamas war.[1][2][3]
Jamila al-Shanti | |
|---|---|
| جميلة الشنطي | |
| Member of the Palestinian Legislative Council | |
| In office 2006–2023 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Jamila Abdallah Taha al-Shanti 15 March 1955 Jabalia refugee camp |
| Died | 19 October 2023 (aged 68) Gaza, Gaza Strip |
| Cause of death | Bombing |
| Nationality | Palestinian |
| Political party | Hamas |
| Spouse | Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi (assassinated in 2004) |
| Occupation | Faculty member, teacher, politician, activist |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Palestine |
Early life and education
Al-Shanti was born on 15 March 1955.[4] She held a PhD in English.[5][4]
Career
Al-Shanti was a member of Hamas and was the founder of the group's women's organization.[6]
She taught at the Islamic University in Gaza until 2006.[5]
On 3 November 2006 she led an unarmed women's march that succeeded in breaking an Israeli siege on a mosque in the town of Beit Hanoun.[7] The Israeli military opened fire on the group, describing them as "human shields", one was killed and ten were wounded.[8]
In the 2006 Palestinian legislative election she was the third candidate on the Hamas-led Change and Reform electoral list.[5] She was the most senior woman among Hamas deputies elected in 2006 and became minister in 2011.[6][4] She worked as a faculty member at the Islamic University in Gaza, and was the wife (later widow) of Hamas leader Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi.[4]
In 2006 she claimed that an air strike aimed at her head instead killed her sister-in-law and over a dozen other people.[9] International media confirmed that there had been an air strike on al-Shanti's home and that it killed Nahla Shanti and Abdel Majid Ghirbawi.[10]
In 2021, al-Shanti (then aged 64) was elected as a member of Hamas' political bureau. The 15-member group is Hamas' highest decision-making body.[11][12] She was the first woman ever to hold such a position in Hamas.[12]
Death
On 19 October 2023, during the Israel–Hamas war, al-Shanti was killed in an Israeli air strike,[1][7][2][3] on her home in the Gaza Strip.[7] France 24 listed her as one of the "key figures on Israel's hit list".[13]
References
- ^ a b Ben-David, Ricky; Spiro, Amy; Davidovich, Joshua; Magid, Jacob; Ghert-Zand, Renee; Magid, Jacob; Fabian, Emanuel (19 October 2023). "Jamila al-Shanti, 1st woman in Hamas political bureau, said killed in Israeli strike". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 19 October 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
- ^ a b "Hamas political leader killed in Gaza". The Jerusalem Post. 19 October 2023. Archived from the original on 19 October 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
- ^ a b Dooley, Matthew (19 October 2023). "Hamas political leader killed by Israel in devastating strike against terrorists". Express.co.uk. Archived from the original on 19 October 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Brief profiles of Hamas leading candidates". Albawaba. 27 January 2006. Archived from the original on 28 May 2022. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
- ^ a b c "Candidate profiles Here are some brief profiles of candidates in the Palestinian elections". Al Jazeera English. 24 January 2006. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ a b Paola Caridi (20 March 2012). Hamas: From Resistance to Government. Seven Stories Press. p. 88. ISBN 978-1-60980-083-3. Archived from the original on 2 October 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
- ^ a b c "First female member of Hamas' political bureau killed in Gaza". 19 October 2023.
- ^ "Israeli troops open fire on women outside mosque". The Guardian. 3 November 2006. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
- ^ Jameela al-Shanti (9 November 2006). "We overcame our fear". The Guardian. Beit Hanoun, Gaza Strip, Palestine. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ "Six Palestinians killed in Gaza". ABC News (Australia). 7 November 2006. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ "Jamila al-Shanti, 1st Woman In Hamas Politburo, Killed By Israel: Report". www.ndtv.com. 19 October 2023. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ a b "Hamas elects first female to political bureau". Middle East Monitor. 26 March 2021.
- ^ "Who's who: Top Hamas leaders on Israel's radar". 3 November 2023.
External links
- 2006 opinion essay in The Guardian written by Jameela al-Shanti: Jameela al-Shanti (9 November 2006). "We overcame our fear". The Guardian. Beit Hanoun, Gaza Strip, Palestine. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
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