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Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh Killed in Tehran

31st July 2024

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in a strike on his headquarters in Tehran, Iran. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed the incident, stating that an investigation is underway. A bodyguard was also killed in the strike.

Details of the Incident

Haniyeh, head of the political office of Hamas, died after attending the inauguration of Iran's new president. Hamas issued a statement attributing his death to a "Zionist strike" on his Tehran residence. The IRGC's Sepah news website echoed this, adding that the cause of the strike is still being investigated.

Haniyeh's Background

Ismail Haniyeh joined Hamas in 1987 during the group's formation amid a major uprising against Israel. He served as the Palestinian prime minister in 2006, although his position was contested by rival factions for years. In 2017, he was elected leader of Hamas' political bureau.

Haniyeh had been living in exile in Qatar and Turkey since 2016, maintaining relationships with various Palestinian factions. He frequently traveled on diplomatic missions, recently meeting political leaders in Iran and Turkey.

Context and Consequences

Hamas led the terror attacks against Israel on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the taking of around 250 hostages to Gaza. In response, Israel launched a military operation in Gaza, resulting in over 39,000 deaths in the enclave, with additional casualties in strikes in Lebanon and Yemen.

The militant group Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, including Israel, the US, and Germany. The death of Haniyeh could have significant implications for ongoing conflicts and cease-fire negotiations in the regio