Born in the Shati Refugee Camp, a senior member of Hamas’s political echelon in Gaza, and a minister in the Palestinian government.

Full name: Sheikh Said Muhammad Sha’aban Siam (aka “Abu Masab)

Origins: Born in the Shati Refugee Camp, Gaza in 1959. Resident of Sheikh Radwan neighborhood in Gaza City. His family comes from the village of al-Jouran, which was near Ashkelon (likewise the origins of Sheikh Ahmad Yassin and Ismail Haniyyeh).

Family Status: Married, father of 6 children

Education: Studied at Ramallah Teachers Institute and certified as an instructor of science and mathematics. He completed his studies at the Open University of al-Quds with a bachelor’s degree in Islamic culture.

Notable activities: Worked in an UNRWA school in Gaza, but left his post amid conflict with his employers over his political leanings. Extensive ideology-based activities within the Gaza community and involved in social causes. Worked as a preacher and volunteer imam in Gaza mosques.

Hamas activities: Participated in the movement’s important forums. Represented Hamas in the “Monitoring Committee for the Nationalist and Islamist Forces.” Served as Hamas spokesman between December 2001 and April 2002. Responsible for establishing Hamas’s Gaza-based “Radio al-Aqsa.” Lately elected to the Legislative Assembly and gained many votes.

Detention by Israel: Detained four times between 1989-1992. Among the Hamas operative banished to Lebanon in 1992. Also detained by Palestinian security services (1995).

Political stances: Named as one of the more pragmatic members of Hamas

Statements after election: Upon election, he stated that he would not stop the “resistance” (i.e. terrorists operating against Israel) since, he felt, “Resistance is a legitimate right of the Palestinian people” (Ma’an News). This statement has great significance since, as Interior Minister, he controls elements of the Palestinian security services.

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