This Wednesday morning, the head of the political office of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, was assassinated and martyred in Tehran, the capital of Iran.
On July 31, 2024, Iranian state media reported that Haniyeh had been assassinated in Tehran while attending the inauguration of president-elect Masoud Pezeshkian.
The details surrounding his demise remain unclear at present, however, Iranian authorities have pledged to disclose the findings of the investigation promptly. Ismail Haniyeh had traveled to Iran to participate in the inauguration ceremony of the new president of Iran, Masoud Al-Badzikian.
Who was Ismail Haniyeh?
Ismail Haniyeh, born in May 1963 in Al Shati camp in the Gaza Strip, pursued his education at the Islamic University of Gaza, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Arabic literature in 1987.
Subsequent to his graduation, he actively engaged in the initial Palestinian intifada against Israeli occupation, resulting in brief detentions by Israeli judicial authorities. Haniyeh faced imprisonment in 1988 for a period of six months, followed by another arrest in 1989 leading to a three-year confinement.
Upon release in 1992, he was deported to Lebanon by Israel alongside other Hamas leaders and activists. Upon his return to Gaza a year later, he assumed the role of dean at the Islamic University.
Developing a close relationships with Hamas founder Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, Haniyeh rapidly garnered recognition within the Hamas movement and was entrusted with key responsibilities.
In 1997, following the release of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin from Israeli detention, Haniyeh was appointed as the head of the Hamas political office.
In the second uprising of the Palestinian people against Israel, known as the second intifada, which lasted from September 2000 to February 2005, Haniyeh played a prominent role.
Haniyeh was elected as the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority in March 2006.
However, severe problems were created by the Fatah party and Israel, Israel and the Western world stopped their aid to Palestine and left the government led by Hamas to work.
He resigned in February 2007 and formed a government of national unity together with Fatah Party.
Four months later, on June 14, Fatah Party leader Mahmoud Abbas dissolved the National Unity Government, declaring a state of emergency and removing Haniyeh from office. Abbas assumed control over Gaza and the western region.
Despite leaving the government framework, Haniyeh continued his activities and played an active role in the political and economic aspects of Hamas.
In 2016, he assumed leadership of the political office of Hamas following Khalid Meshaal’s tenure, relocating to Qatar. Two years later, in 2018, the United States designated him as a special terrorist.
Throughout Operation Storm Al-Aqsa, initiated on October 7, 2023, Haniyeh intensified his engagement, overseeing negotiations with the Israeli occupation on issues including prisoner exchanges, ceasefire agreements, and related matters.
His strategic acumen and leadership role marked him as a crucial figure within Hamas, drawing the attention of Israeli forces. In October 2023, Israel conducted an airstrike on his family in Gaza, resulting in the tragic loss of 14 family members.
Subsequently, in November, two of his grandsons were killed by Israeli forces. Tragically, on April 10, 2024, Haniyeh’s three sons and three grandsons fell victim to an Israeli bombing in Gaza.
On June 25, 2024, 10 additional family members, including his 80-year-old sister, were tragically killed during an Israeli bombardment at Al-Shati camp.
This prominent and proactive advocate of resistance against the Israeli occupation met his end alongside his bodyguard in an attack in Tehran, Iran on the 25th of Muharram 1446 AH (July 31, 2024).
