In a significant escalation of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Tehran during the early hours of Wednesday. The death was reported by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and later confirmed by Hamas after several hours of speculation. This high-profile assassination has sent shockwaves through the region and marks a critical moment in the protracted conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
Initial reports indicate that Haniyeh was assassinated in an Israeli raid, just hours after meeting with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The meeting, images of which were posted on Khamenei’s official social media account on platform X, was part of Haniyeh’s visit to Iran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iran’s President-elect, Masoud Pezeshkian.
Haniyeh, born in the Egyptian-occupied Gaza Strip, was a prominent figure in Palestinian politics and the leader of Hamas, the militant group actively engaged in conflict with Israeli forces in Gaza. He attended schools run by the United Nations and later the Islamic University of Gaza, graduating in 1987 with a degree in Arabic literature. His association with Hamas began during his university years, alongside his involvement with the Muslim Brotherhood, a significant organization across the Arab world.
During the First Intifada, Haniyeh’s activism and participation in anti-Israel protests elevated his status within Hamas. In 1997, he was appointed as the head of the office of Ahmed Yassin, the founder of Hamas, enabling him to establish strong ties with the top leadership. This position also paved the way for his later roles, including his nomination as Prime Minister in 2006.
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Haniyeh’s tenure as Prime Minister was marked by significant events, including a notable conflict with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and a factional war between Hamas and Fatah. His return to Gaza in 2006, carrying USD 30 million through the Rafah border crossing, was blocked by Israel, highlighting the fraught nature of his leadership.
In 2016, Haniyeh assumed the leadership of Hamas and was designated a terrorist by the United Nations in 2018. His support for the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel and the subsequent taking of hostages further cemented his hardline stance. Despite the devastating Israeli attacks on Gaza and the firm stance of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the release of hostages, Haniyeh remained resolute in his demands for a ceasefire, the opening of humanitarian corridors, and negotiations based on a Two-State Solution.
Haniyeh’s assassination is likely to have profound implications for the region. It not only eliminates a key figure in Hamas but also raises questions about the future leadership and strategy of the militant group. As the situation unfolds, the international community will be closely watching the repercussions of this high-profile killing on the ongoing conflict in Gaza.