 |
Said SiamMinister of Interior and National Security in the Hamas government |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Political and Social Activism
- HAMAS Involvement
- Political Career
- Clashes and Conflict
- Formation of HAMAS Security Forces
- Opposing the Unity Agreement
- - Siam was not included in the new government.
- Death and Legacy
- - He was survived by six children.
Early Life and Education
Born in Adversity- Said Muhammad Shabaan Siam was born in 1959 in the Al-Shati refugee camp in the Gaza Strip.
- His family hailed from the village of Al-Jura near Ashkelon, the same hometown as Ismail Haniyeh and Ahmed Yassin.
- In 1980, Siam graduated from a teacher's seminar in Ramallah, becoming a science and mathematics teacher.
- He later pursued his education at Al-Quds Open University, earning a bachelor's degree in Islamic cultural history in 2000.
Political and Social Activism
Preaching and Advocacy- From 1980 to 2003, Siam worked at a United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) school in Gaza.
- He left his teaching position due to political differences with his employers.
- Siam became actively involved in religious and community affairs, serving as a voluntary preacher and imam in Gaza mosques.
HAMAS Involvement
- Siam represented HAMAS on the Monitoring Committee for National and Islamic Forces.
- From December 2001 to April 2002, he served as HAMAS spokesperson, contributing to the establishment of the organization's Al-Aqsa radio station in Gaza.
Political Career
Election and Government Role- In January 2006, Siam was elected to the Palestinian Legislative Council.
- Following HAMAS's victory in the elections, he became the Minister of Interior and National Security in the government led by Ismail Haniyeh.
Clashes and Conflict
- HAMAS's election win led to armed confrontations with Fatah, a rival Palestinian faction led by Mahmoud Abbas.
- Fatah accused Siam of being one of the instigators of these clashes.
Formation of HAMAS Security Forces
- In 2006, Siam established armed formations directly under his control, challenging the Fatah-controlled Palestinian police force.
- Abbas initially annulled Siam's order, but later agreed on the existence of such forces as auxiliary units.
Opposing the Unity Agreement
- In 2007, Siam vehemently opposed an agreement between Fatah and HAMAS to form a unity government.
- He declared that the HAMAS forces under his command would continue fighting.
- Siam was not included in the new government.
Hamas Takeover of GazaCoup and Enactment of Security Forces
- In June 2007, Siam emerged as a leader in the HAMAS takeover of Gaza.
- HAMAS seized control of the territory, dismantling Fatah-controlled institutions.
- In September, the HAMAS forces led by Siam were transformed into the official police and security services.
Death and Legacy
Operation Cast Lead and Tragic End- In late December 2008, Israel launched Operation Cast Lead against HAMAS in Gaza.
- During the operation, Siam was killed in an airstrike on January 15, 2009.
