Hamas Chief Ismail Haniyeh Killed in Iran’s Capital
Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas, and one of his bodyguards were killed in Tehran after their residence was targeted, according to a statement by the Palestinian group today. Hamas reported that Haniyeh was killed in “a treacherous Zionist raid on his residence in Tehran” on Tuesday morning. An investigation is underway to uncover more details about the attack.
Details of the Attack
Haniyeh was in the Iranian capital to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian. “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,” the statement read.
A senior Hamas official declared that Haniyeh’s assassination “will not go unanswered.” Musa Abu Marzuk, a member of the Hamas political bureau, stated, “The assassination of leader Ismail Haniyeh is a cowardly act and will not go unanswered.”
Confirmation and Reactions
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards also confirmed Haniyeh’s death, noting that his residence in Tehran was “hit” and that he was killed along with a bodyguard. The Israeli army has not immediately responded to the incident.
Background and consequences
Israel had previously vowed to kill Ismail Haniyeh and dismantle Hamas following the October 7 attack that resulted in the deaths of 1,195 people, mostly civilians. Israel’s retaliatory military campaign in Gaza has resulted in at least 39,400 deaths, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.
Haniyeh, elected as the head of the Hamas political bureau in 2017, succeeded Khaled Meshaal. Considered a pragmatist, Haniyeh lived in exile, splitting his time between Turkey and Qatar. During the ongoing conflict, he traveled on diplomatic missions to Iran and Turkey, meeting with both countries’ presidents. Known for maintaining good relations with various Palestinian factions, including rivals to Hamas, Haniyeh joined Hamas in 1987, during the first Palestinian intifada against Israeli occupation, which lasted until 1993.
