Isra al-Modallal

Isra al-Modallal (Arabic: إسراء المدلل) is the first female spokesperson in English for the Hamas government in Gaza between 2013 and 2014.^[1] She was born in Egypt and raised in Gaza. She attended high school in Bradford, England, and graduated from Islamic University of Gaza with a degree in media studies. She worked as a broadcast journalist before accepting the spokesperson role. Her appointment was part of a Hamas effort to change its public image.

Isra al-Modallal
Born	1989 or 1990 (age 34–35) Egypt
Alma mater	Islamic University of Gaza
Occupation	Hamas spokesperson
Known for	First female spokesperson for Hamas

Early life and career

Isra al-Modallal was born in Egypt^[2] to Palestinian refugees^[3] and spent her youth in Gaza.^[4] She attended Grange Technology College in Bradford, England^[4] while her father went to university.^[5] She developed a Yorkshire dialect while in England.^[5] She graduated from the Islamic University of Gaza with a degree in media studies and later worked as a broadcast journalist.^[5] She has credited camera experience at a local station and English-language satellite news channel as formative career experiences.^[4]

Al-Modallal began her new role as the Hamas government's international spokesperson in November 2013.^[5] She was the first female to hold the position.^[5] Her appointment came as part of a Hamas effort change its public image under media head Ihab al-Ghussein, who opened a new government website, increased government social media use, and recruited younger staff.^[4] As a female figure in power, her role was expected to more closely connect Palestinian and Hamas concerns with the West and to empower Palestinian women.^[5] Al-Modallal has referred to herself as a Palestinian and not as a Hamas devotee.^[4][5] She said she would focus on human rights and humanitarian causes, would not speak with Israeli media, and would launch a social media campaign.^[5]

She is divorced, and has one daughter.^[4]