From the Liveblog of
Thursday, December 19, 2024
US official: Senior Hamas official’s brother was moved to another prison, not freed
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleJacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
WASHINGTON — Following reports that the half-brother of senior Hamas official Khaled Mashaal was released early from federal prison in Texas last week, a US official tells The Times of Israel that Mofid Mashaal was simply transferred to another detention facility where he is continuing to serve his sentence.
Footage posted on social media last week appeared to show Mofid Mashaal outside of prison, speaking to supporters over mobile video chat while being driven in a car.
The US Department of Justice has not immediately responded to a request for clarification.
WATCH⚡️
Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal’s half-brother, Mofid Meshaal, was unexpectedly released from a federal prison in Texas a few days ago. Convicted for financing Hamxs, Mofid Meshaal served 16 years of a 20-year sentence and claims he hasn’t changed. pic.twitter.com/NI7pmjO17p
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) December 17, 2024
In 2009, Mofid Mashaal was sentenced to 20 years behind bars for financing Hamas. Following reports of his release, several Israeli media sites speculated that it could be tied to the ongoing hostage negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
The Times of Israel Community.