Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh’s Assassination in Tehran Blamed on Israel
In a shocking turn of events, the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas’s political chief, has been termed a serious escalation that will elicit a reaction. The Palestinian intifada veteran was found dead in Tehran, with sources attributing the assassination to Israel.
Haniyeh, born in 1963 in Gaza’s Shati refugee camp, has had a tumultuous political career. He joined Hamas during the Palestinian intifada in 1987 and was subsequently detained by Israel multiple times. After being exiled in 1992, he returned to Gaza the following year and became a close advisor to Hamas’ founder, Sheikh Ahmad Yassin.
As Palestinian prime minister in 2006, Haniyeh played a crucial role in the party’s victory in parliamentary elections, although he was later removed in 2007. Israel has accused him of supporting Hamas’ military branch and channelling aid to them. Haniyeh has been instrumental in strengthening Hamas’ military power with support from Iran.
In 2017, he was replaced as the primary authority figure in Hamas by Yehia Sinwar. In 2018, Haniyeh was labelled a terrorist by the US state department for his backing of armed conflict and involvement with Hamas. More recently, his three sons and four grandchildren were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza on April 10.
Despite facing tragedy, Haniyeh remained steadfast in his commitment to Hamas’ requests for a lasting ceasefire and repatriation of displaced Palestinians. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, as the assassination is likely to escalate tensions in the region.
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