An apparently fairly important leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, Muhammad Qassem Sawalha, lives in London in a flat he bought from the local Barnet Council.
This was disclosed in a sensational headline story in The Sunday Times.
Hamas carried out a sudden attack on Israel on October 7, killing an estimated 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and taking approximately 200 Israeli citizens as hostages, who are being held in Gaza. The action has generated one of the worst crises between Israelis and Palestinians, since the partition of Palestine and the controversial creation of Israel on the former's soil in 1948.
Sawalha, 62, reportedly fled to Britain from the Palestinian administered territory of Gaza (now under heavy bombardment by Israeli military forces) in the 1990s, hoodwinking Israeli security with a relative’s passport. He thereafter obtained British citizenship. He was granted a British passport probably in the early 2000s.
In 2004, the United States Justice Department indicted him of illegally financing "terrorist activities" in Israel. The indictment alleged Sawalha continued to work for Hamas even after coming to London.
In 2006, a BBC programme reported he was "said to have masterminded much of Hamas’ political and military strategy". It further charged that though MI5 – Britain’s internal intelligence agency – knew about Sawalha, they "let him operate freely here (in the UK)".
In 2009, Sawalha signed a declaration that praised Allah for having "routed the Zionist Jews". He is officially designated by Israeli authorities as belonging to Hamas and will be arrested if he returns to Israel, which is unlikely. He is said to have been a member of Hamas’ politburo between 2013 and 2017.
The British paper indicated it was in 2017 that it was confirmed that Sawalha continued to be involved with Hamas, when he joined the organisation’s official delegation to Russia. The Council of Muftis, a Russian Muslim body, posted on its website that Sawalha was ‘head’ of Hamas’ ‘foreign policy’. He was pictured with Mikhail Bogdanov, Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister.
London’s reputed Metropolitan Police force, popularly known as Scotland Yard, confirmed they received a referral in June 2020 mentioning a breach of the UK’s Terrorist Asset Freezing Act. This accusation was assessed by officers of the Yard's National Terrorist Financing Investigation Unit. In a statement they said: "It was determined that the evidential test was not met. No further action was taken."
The leader of Barnet Council, Barry Rawlings, remarked he was "horrified to think (Sawalha) could be living in our midst". He promised to review the case.
Britain proscribed Hamas’ military wing on the perception that it was a terrorist outfit in 2001. However, it was not until 2021 that Hamas was banned in entirety. The Sunday Times stated he has kept a low profile since and is understood to divide his time between London and Istanbul.
Sawalha has never been charged with any crimes in or by the UK. He lives in a property he bought for 320,700 pounds in June 2021 with his wife Sawsan, 56. His lawyers told The Sunday Times that its approach to the investigative piece contained a "number of serious false allegations". They maintained: "Mr Sawalha is a law-abiding British citizen."
New Urban Community Health Centre to reduce patients rush in GBP Hospital: CM Dr Manik Saha
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Thursday laid foundation stone of 50-bed Urban Community Health Center here at Agartala and said that the present government is working diligently to improve health infrastructure and services in the state.
Govt determined to develop sports infrastructure in Tripura: CM Dr Manik Saha
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Thursday inaugurated football turf, athletics track and hockey ground here at Agartala Dasarath Deb Sports Complex at Badharghat and said that the government is determined to develop facilities and platform for sports persons in the state.
Mistake that benefits no one: World leaders react to Trump's 'reciprocal tariffs'
As US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on the so-called "reciprocal tariffs," the world reacted sharply against the decision, with some calling it a "mistake that benefits no one" while others called it a violation of Washington's obligations under the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Indian pharmaceutical exports get reprieve from Trump’s reciprocal tariffs
Because of the importance of India’s pharmaceuticals to US healthcare, those exports will get a reprieve from President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs, according to the White House.
India stands less impacted by Trump tariffs than global peers: Industry
As US President Donald Trump announced reciprocal tariffs on dozens of countries, including India, industry experts said on Thursday that it appears India's export competitiveness to the US market stands far less impacted on a relative basis compared to global peers.
IAF pilot killed, another critical as Jaguar fighter jet crashes in Gujarat
An Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot lost his life, while another sustained critical injuries after their two-seater Jaguar fighter jet crashed near Gujarat's Jamnagar Airfield, the IAF confirmed on Thursday.
PM Modi emplanes for Thailand; to attend BIMSTEC summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday emplaned for Thailand on a state visit to attend the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, with his visit also set to bolster bilateral relations between New Delhi and Bangkok.
Bhavan’s Little Learners celebrate annual programme
The Bhavan’s Little Learners, Bordowali celebrated annual programme and organised prize distribution ceremony here at Agartala Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan on Wednesday.