Born in the heart of Khan Younis in 1942, he would grow into one of the defining figures of the Palestinian national movement.

In 1967, at a turning point in Palestinian history, he joined the ranks of Fatah. Over the years, his dedication and leadership propelled him through its echelons, culminating in his appointment to the Central Committee in 1992.

He bore the scars of struggle: imprisoned by Israeli occupation forces, dismissed from his job on “security grounds,” and barred from leaving Gaza during the First Intifada.

With the birth of the Palestinian Authority, he was entrusted as Minister of Housing in the first Palestinian government.

In 1996, he was elected to the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization. He went on to head key departments, including the Department of Arab and International Relations, and later, the Department of Refugee Affairs.

In 2002, he was named Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Al-Azhar University, another testament to his enduring commitment to education and national development.

Following the events of June 14, he was appointed by President Mahmoud Abbas to lead Fatah’s Supreme Leadership Committee in Gaza, tasked with steering the movement through turbulent times. He also chaired the National Action Commission, the organizational lifeline extending from
the PLO.

On Monday, May 12, 2025, he passed away in Cairo, Egypt, having left Gaza in the wake of the brutal genocide committed by Israeli occupation after October 7. His death marked the end of a life woven into the modern Palestinian story, one of resilience, leadership, and unwavering commitment to the cause.