Was a Hamas terror suspect among those Biden pardoned or commuted their sentence? White House isn't saying

WASHINGTON, DC—Joe Biden, the presidential version of a wrecking ball, apparently included the brother of a former Hamas official in his pardon and commutation spree, the Post Millennial reports. 

Mofid Abdel Kader Mashaal, brother of former Hamas political wing chairman Khaled Mashaal, was “unexpectedly” released from a US prison last week, according to the Jerusalem Post, however, the US government has not confirmed the release. 

Mashaal was only one of several American Palestinians who saw their sentences slashed by Biden. Those included Muhammad al-Zain, a relative of Hamas Deputy Chairman Musa Abu Marzouk. 

The releases come as rumors abound of a possible hostage deal between Hamas and Israel, with Hamas still holding over 100 hostages from their October 2023 incursion into Israel that killed over 1,200 Israeli men, women, and children. An estimated seven Americans were also taken hostage, however some of them have died in custody. Hamas continues holding onto their bodies, however. 

According to the Post, Mashaal was released after serving 16 years in jail and will spend one additional year in a rehabilitation facility as part of his release. Four others who were among the “Holy Land Foundation Five” who were tried along with Mashaal have seen international activists calling for their release, although Biden significantly reduced their terms. 

They are Shukri Abu-Baker, Ghassan Elashi, Mufid Abdulrahman Odeh, and Mohammad Elmezain. 

Mashaal was sentenced to 20 years in prison for financing Hamas through the Holy Land Foundation, formerly one of the largest Islamic charitable organizations in the US. The 2008 case was the most significant terror trial in US history. 

The five suspects provided material support to Hamas, which is a designated foreign terrorist organization. Despite being named by the Department of Justice as an unindicted co-conspirator in the scheme, the Council of American Islamic Relations (CAIR) continues to donate to political candidates who also happily accept the group’s endorsement, such as Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) and Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN). 

Last week, the Biden White House announced he was commuting the sentences of some 1,500 people and pardoning 39 more, claiming it was for people convicted of non-violent crimes. That wave of commutations and pardons set a record for the most issued by a president in American history. 

However, it is unknown since the US will not confirm or deny if Mashaal’s release is part of that group.