Hamas’ political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, was reportedly assassinated in an Israeli airstrike while in Tehran. Haniyeh had been in the Iranian capital to attend the inauguration of Iran’s new president, Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian.
Hamas announced Haniyeh’s death on Wednesday, stating, “Brother, leader, mujahid Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the movement, assassinated in a Zionist strike on his headquarters in Tehran after he participated in the inauguration of the new (Iranian) president.”
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards confirmed the incident, noting that Haniyeh’s residence in Tehran was hit, resulting in his death along with a bodyguard. The attack reportedly occurred at 2am Tehran time.
“The residence of Ismail Haniyeh, head of the political office of Hamas Islamic Resistance, was hit in Tehran, and as a result of this incident, him and one of his bodyguards were martyred,” stated the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’s Sepah news website.
Iran has launched an investigation into the assassination, promising to release the findings soon. Meanwhile, the Israeli military has not commented on the reports.
This assassination follows closely on the heels of another targeted killing of a high-ranking Hezbollah military official, suggesting a coordinated effort by Israel.
The backdrop to these events includes the recent escalation in the Gaza Strip. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to dismantle Hamas following the October 7 attack on southern Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,197 people, mostly civilians, and the kidnapping of 251 hostages by Hamas militants. The ongoing conflict has claimed the lives of at least 39,400 people in Gaza, as reported by the Hamas-run health ministry.
Ismail Haniyeh, who was elected as the head of Hamas’ political bureau in 2017, had a long-standing presence in Palestinian politics. He became the Palestinian prime minister in 2006 after Hamas’ surprising victory in the parliamentary elections. Known for his diplomatic missions, Haniyeh had maintained relations with various Palestinian factions and had recently met with the Turkish and Iranian presidents.
Joining Hamas at its inception in 1987, Haniyeh was a significant figure during the first Palestinian intifada against Israeli occupation. His death marks a crucial moment in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, potentially impacting the dynamics of the region.
