Ismail Haniyeh, the chief political leader of Hamas, has been assassinated in Tehran, as reported by Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. His residence was struck, resulting in the deaths of Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards, according to a statement from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Sepah news website. The cause of the attack is still under investigation.
Haniyeh was in Tehran attending the inauguration of Iran’s new President, Masoud Pezeshkian. Hamas has blamed Israel for the assassination, describing it as a “treacherous Zionist raid.” In response, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri declared an open war to liberate Jerusalem, stating that the group is prepared to make significant sacrifices.
The assassination has been met with widespread condemnation from international leaders, including Russia’s deputy foreign minister Mikhail Bogdanov, Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, head of Yemen’s Houthi Supreme Revolutionary Committee. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant had previously referred to Hamas leadership as “living on borrowed time” following an attack by Hamas on October 7.
Haniyeh, living in exile in Qatar, relocated to Tehran for the Iranian presidential inauguration. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed the attack and Hamas reiterated that Haniyeh was killed at his Tehran residence. This incident marks a significant embarrassment for Iran, given its timing right after the presidential inauguration.
Haniyeh had a long history with Hamas, becoming a key figure in the group since the late 1980s. After being exiled to southern Lebanon by Israel in 1992, he returned to Gaza in 1993 and rose quickly within Hamas. He served as the head of the office of Hamas’s spiritual leader, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, until Yassin’s assassination by Israel in 2004.
In 2006, Haniyeh led Hamas to a surprising victory in the Palestinian parliamentary elections, becoming the Prime Minister of the State of Palestine. However, tensions with Fatah, the party of Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, led to the dissolution of his government in 2007. Haniyeh continued to govern Gaza, even as Fatah controlled the West Bank.
In 2017, Haniyeh stepped down as the leader of Hamas in Gaza, succeeded by Yahya Sinwar, a hardliner. Haniyeh then became the chairman of Hamas’s Political Bureau and moved to Qatar. From Doha, he led Hamas’s political operations until his assassination.
Israel has not commented on Iran’s claims about its involvement in Haniyeh’s assassination, maintaining its usual silence on operations in hostile territories. This incident poses a major challenge for Iran, as it occurred just after the new president’s inauguration.
Earlier this year, Haniyeh lost three of his sons and four of his grandchildren in an Israeli airstrike. Despite these personal losses, Haniyeh remained a central figure in Hamas’s political and diplomatic efforts, advocating for Palestinian interests and engaging in ceasefire talks with Israel.
Haniyeh’s death has significantly impacted Hamas, given his role in nurturing ties with Iran and leading the group’s political battles. His assassination could lead to further escalations in the already tense relations between Israel, Hamas, and Iran.
