On May 2, 2018, the seventh anniversary of the killing of Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, a Telegram channel named for Hamas's military wing, "The Martyr 'Izz Al-Din Al-Qassam Brigades," published several messages about the late Al-Qaeda leader. Along with these messages, the channel, which has some 3,000 members, reposted eulogies issued by Hamas after bin Laden's death in 2011 that were circulated at that time on a Hamas forum (Paldf.net/forum/index.php).[1]
One of the messages posted by the Telegram channel, under the hashtag "Sheikh Osama bin Laden, May Allah Take Him to His Bosom," stated: "On that day, May 2, 2011, the nation lost its lion, its educator, its jihadi, its innovative imam, its martyr and its courageous [son]." The message accompanied a poster published in 2011 on the abovementioned Hamas forum showing bin Laden, a map of Greater Palestine, a quote by the Al-Qaeda leader – "...The U.S. and its people will have no security as long as there is no security in Palestine" – and a message addressed to bin Laden: "Our beloved sheikh, you promised us that we will live in security, and we, the people of Hamas, are completely loyal to you."[2]
Another message published the same day by the Telegram channel, under the hashtag "The Sheikh of the Jihadi Fighters," read: "On that day [May 2, 2011], we lost one of the knights of our nation, which only Hamas lamented at the time." [3] Two death notices published by Hamas in 2011 were attached to the message.
A post published several hours later featured a photo of bin Laden and some lines from a poem composed after his death praising his contribution to the Muslim nation.[4]
[1] Paldf.net/forum/index.php, May 7, 2011. It should be noted that after bin Laden's killing some Hamas leaders praised bin Laden and condemned his killing. Isma'il Haniya, for example, who at the time was Hamas prime minister, said that despite the disputes between Hamas and Al-Qaeda, Hamas "naturally condemns the assassination and killing of an Arab and Muslim jihad fighter..." (see MEMRI TV Clip No. 2910, Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniya Condemns The Killing Of The "Muslim Mujahid" Osama Bin Laden, May 3, 2011). Isma'il Al-Ashqar, a member of the Palestinian Legislative Council on behalf of Hamas, called bin Laden "an ascetic and jihadi who had billions but preferred to fight the Russians alongside his Afghan brothers..." Maannews.net, May 2, 2011.
[2] T.me/alqassambrigades, May 2, 2018.
[3] T.me/alqassambrigades, May 2, 2018.
[4] T.me/alqassambrigades, May 3, 2018.
