Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh Assassinated in Tehran
Top Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards were killed in an attack in Tehran on Wednesday. Hamas released a statement attributing the death of their political bureau chief to an “Israeli strike” on his headquarters in the Iranian capital.
“Brother, leader, mujahid Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the movement, died in a Zionist strike on his headquarters in Tehran after he participated in the inauguration of the new (Iranian) president,” read the Hamas statement.
Iranian authorities have confirmed that Haniyeh’s residence was targeted and announced an investigation into the incident. He was in Tehran for the inauguration ceremony of president-elect Mazoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday, where he also met with the new leader and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
IRGC Condemns Attack
“The residence of Ismail Haniyeh, head of the political office of Hamas Islamic Resistance, was hit in Tehran, and as a result of this incident, him and one of his bodyguards were martyred,” stated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’s Sepah news website.
The IRGC expressed condolences to the people of Palestine, the Muslim world, and fighters of the Resistance Front over the loss of the Hamas leader.
Escalation in Regional Tensions
The assassination of Haniyeh occurs amid heightened tensions between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah, following a rocket attack on the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights on Tuesday. In response, Israel struck Hezbollah’s stronghold in southern Beirut, claiming the life of commander Fuad Shukr, who was allegedly responsible for the attack.
Reactions to the Assassination
A senior Hamas official described Haniyeh’s assassination as a “grave escalation” by the Israeli occupation, asserting that it aimed to break the will of Hamas and the Palestinian people. “This assassination by the Israeli occupation of Brother Haniyeh is a grave escalation that aims to break the will of Hamas and the will of our people and achieve fake goals. We confirm that this escalation will fail to achieve its objectives,” stated senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri.
Mohammed Ali Al-Houthi, head of Yemen’s Houthi Supreme Revolutionary Committee, condemned the attack as a “heinous terrorist crime” and a blatant violation of laws and values.
Legacy of Ismail Haniyeh
Known for his tough-talking leadership, Haniyeh was perceived as the more moderate face of Hamas in international diplomacy. He was based in Turkey and Doha, which allowed him to escape the travel restrictions of the Gaza Strip and engage in diplomatic efforts.
Appointed as the political wing chief in 2017, Haniyeh first gained prominence after being elected Palestinian prime minister in 2006. His ability to move between Turkey and Doha enabled him to negotiate ceasefire talks and maintain relations with Hamas ally Iran. Haniyeh was instrumental in building Hamas’s fighting capacity through strong ties with Iran.
[H3] A Life in Resistance
Haniyeh joined Hamas in 1987 during the first Palestinian intifada against Israeli occupation. Over the years, he became a key figure in Hamas, leading the political battle for the organization. Despite losing three sons and four grandchildren in the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Haniyeh continued his diplomatic missions to Iran and Turkey, fostering relationships with Palestinian factions and international allies.
The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh marks a significant moment in the ongoing conflict, with potential repercussions for the region’s stability and future.
