Who was Haniyeh:
Ismail Haniyeh, born January 29, 1963, is a prominent Palestinian political leader within Hamas, an Islamist militant organisation. He served as the Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority after Hamas won the 2006 legislative elections. Still, his government was confined to the Gaza Strip following the 2007 conflict with Fatah. In 2017, Ismail Haniyeh was elected to lead Hamas's political bureau, taking over from Khaled Meshaal. Known for his hardline stance against Israel and support for armed resistance, Haniyeh has been involved in negotiating truces through intermediaries like Egypt and Qatar. His leadership has shaped Hamas's policies amidst significant criticism from Israel and Western nations, which classify Hamas as a terrorist organisation. Haniyeh's influence on Palestinian resistance and governance continues to be substantial.
What Happened to him?
Ismail Haniyeh, the senior Hamas leader, was assassinated in Tehran, Iran. Reports indicate that he was killed in a bomb attack that had been planned and executed by Israeli operatives. The bomb was allegedly smuggled into the guesthouse where Haniyeh was staying months before the assassination. This event has increased tensions in the region a lot. Iran has promised to respond, and there is a risk of even more conflicts between Israel and Iran.
Hamas shares Haniyeh's funeral arrangements:
Ismail Haniyeh's "official and public" funeral ceremony will be held tomorrow in Tehran, Hamas says. His body will then be moved to Qatar's capital, Doha – his base in recent years. His final funeral is scheduled for 2 August, after which he will be buried in a cemetery in Lusail.
Why did he visit Iran?
A senior Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh, visited Iran recently and met with critical Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. During these meetings, they discussed issues related to the ongoing Palestinian conflict in Gaza and broader Palestinian concerns. Haniyeh highlighted the resistance efforts in Gaza and criticised Israel's actions, while Khamenei expressed support for Hamas and condemned the United States and Israel. This visit underscores the strong ties between Hamas and Iran, with Iran providing significant military and financial backing to Hamas.
What is his role in Gaza?
Ismail Haniyeh plays a crucial role in Gaza as a senior leader of Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip. He has served as the Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority and, more recently, as the head of Hamas's political bureau. In Gaza, Haniyeh is responsible for overseeing Hamas's administration, governance, and military operations, including strategies related to resistance against Israel. His leadership significantly influences the political and military landscape of the region.
What has the world said?
Leaders from across the region have commented on the situation, with some condemning the killing and expressing concern about the possible consequences. Palestinian leaders, including the president and prime minister, who are from factions that have long-standing rivalries with Hamas, have condemned the killing and urged for Palestinian "national unity."
The White House has seen the reports of Haniyeh’s killing, a spokesperson said but declined to comment further immediately. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said he does not think war in the Middle East is inevitable but that the US would help defend Israel if it were attacked.
Leaders from Russia and Turkey have both decried the assassination, warning it would lead to more significant conflicts in the region.
Other Iran-backed militant groups have also voiced sympathy – including Hezbollah, based in Lebanon, and the Houthis in Yemen.
Implications of Haniyeh's Killing for Iranian Security:
Iran says Ismail Haniyeh and his bodyguard were killed at a guest house in northern Tehran at 02:00 local time, in the early hours of Wednesday, by a missile that had been fired from beyond Iran’s borders. The attack brings Iran’s security agencies under question and their control over Israeli actions of this sort inside Iran. Israel has assassinated a string of Iranian nuclear scientists over the last decade or so, but never has it targeted a dignitary or a prominent Iranian political leader. Three years ago, the former intelligence minister, Ali Yunessi, said the Israeli infiltration is so deep in Iran that all officials should fear for their lives.