Who Was Ismail Haniyeh? Hamas Leader Killed in Iran

Who Was Ismail Haniyeh?

Ismail Haniyeh, a significant figure in Hamas and a key player in Palestinian politics, was killed in an attack on his residence in Tehran, Iran. Born in 1963 in Gaza’s Shati refugee camp, Haniyeh emerged as a prominent leader of the militant Palestinian group Hamas.

Joining Hamas in the late 1980s, Haniyeh quickly ascended through its ranks, eventually becoming its top leader in 2017. His rise to prominence began as a close associate of Hamas’s founder, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin. Haniyeh’s leadership was marked by his role as a negotiator in the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict and his efforts to build Hamas’s military capacity.

Details of the Attack in Tehran

On the early morning of the attack, Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards were reportedly killed in what Hamas described as a “treacherous Zionist raid.” The incident occurred just a day after Haniyeh attended the inauguration ceremony of Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian and met with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The attack has been attributed to Israeli forces by Hamas, adding another layer of tension to the already volatile Israel-Gaza conflict. The death of Haniyeh, a key figure in Hamas’s international diplomacy, is expected to have significant repercussions.

Haniyeh’s Role in Hamas and the Middle East

Haniyeh played a crucial role in shaping Hamas’s strategies and international relations. He led a high-level Hamas delegation to Iran in 2017, strengthening ties with the Shiite Muslim nation. This relationship was instrumental in boosting Hamas’s military capabilities.

As Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority following Hamas’s 2006 electoral victory, Haniyeh was dismissed by President Mahmoud Abbas in 2007. Despite the political upheaval, he continued to influence Hamas’s activities from various locations, including Turkey and Qatar.

Haniyeh’s recent loss was compounded by earlier tragedies, including the deaths of his sons and grandchildren in an Israeli airstrike on April 10. While Israel claimed the victims were involved in terrorist activities, Haniyeh denied these allegations.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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