Hamas Political Bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh has been killed in an attack on his residence in Tehran, Iran, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Wednesday. According to reports from Press TV, Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards were killed in the incident. The development, reported by Iranian state-owned media, has been confirmed by Hamas, too.
“Early this morning, the residence of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran was struck, resulting in his and one of his bodyguards’ martyrdom. The cause is under investigation and will be announced soon,” the IRGC said.
The IRGC also released a statement to Meher News Agency stating, “With condolences to the heroic nation of Palestine, the Islamic nation, the combatants of the Resistance Front, and the noble nation of Iran, this morning (Wednesday), the residence of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the political office of the Islamic Resistance of Hamas, was hit in Tehran, and following this incident, he and one of his bodyguards were martyred.”
The tragic event occurred after Iran’s Supreme Leader, Seyyed Ali Hosseini Khamenei, met with Haniyeh, and Khaemeni’s office shared pictures of their meeting on X (formerly Twitter). The picture indicated discussions with Haniyeh and Ziyad al Nakhalah, the Secretary General of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement.
Israel on Haniyeh’s Death
In response to Khamenei’s post, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said, “Did someone ask for a photo-op of Iran and the leaders of their proxies? Iran’s Khamenei met with Hamas’ Ismail Haniyah and the Islamic Jihad’s Ziyad-al Nakhalah—ttwo of the terrorist organizations that have been attempting to kill Israelis using weapons made and funded by Iran.”
Shlomo Karhi, minister of communications, took to X and wrote, “Yes, all your enemies will perish, O God,” although the post appeared later to have been deleted.
Amichai Eliyahu, Israel’s minister of heritage, posted, “This is the right way to clean the world of this filth. No more imaginary peace or surrender agreements. No more mercy. The iron hand that will strike them is the one that will bring peace, a little comfort, and strengthen our ability to live in peace with those who desire peace. Haniyeh’s death makes the world a little better.”
Reaction of Hamas
Hamas mourned his death and said that Haniyeh was killed in “a treacherous Zionist raid on his residence in Tehran.” Meanwhile, analysts on Iranian state television also immediately blamed Israel for the attack.
As reported by the Hamas-run Al-Aqsa, senior Hamas official Moussa Abu Marzouk described Haniyeh’s death as “a cowardly act that will not go unpunished.” Meanwhile, another Hamas official, Sami Abu Zuhri, has told Reuters that the killing is a grave escalation that will not achieve its goals.
What does Palestine have to say?
Palestinian state news agency Wafa reported that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has strongly condemned the killing. Palestinian national and Islamic factions have also called for a general strike and mass demonstrations in response to the assassination.
In addition to this, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas strongly condemned the assassination, describing it as “a cowardly act and a dangerous development,” according to a statement from the official Wafa news agency. The president also called on Palestinians to unite and “be patient and steadfast in the face of the Israeli occupation.”.
Meanwhile, Muhammad al-Hindi, Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s deputy secretary-general, said,“This assassination is not only directed at the Palestinian resistance and Hamas, in particular, but it is also directed at Iran. Israel is on the verge of collapse, and its reactions reflect confusion and an inability to achieve any of its goals. Israel is facing such resistance for the first time in its history.”
Palestinian Authority president Abbas described it as ‘cowardly assassination’ and urged Palestinians to remain united against Israel. “President Mahmoud Abbas of the State of Palestine strongly condemned the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, deeming it a cowardly act and a serious escalation,” Abbas’ office said in a statement. “He urged our people and their forces to unite, remain patient, and stand firm against the Israeli occupation,” he said.
Iran Strongly Condemns the Assassination
Iran has strongly condemned the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas’s political bureau, who was killed in an attack at his residence in Tehran early Wednesday morning.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said Haniyeh had been targeted in his residence along with an Iranian bodyguard. It said he had been in Iran to attend the inauguration of President Masoud Pezeshkian and that the circumstances of the “incident” were being investigated. Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said, “Haniyeh’s martyrdom in Tehran will strengthen the deep and unbreakable bond between Tehran, Palestine, and the resistance,” Kanaani said, according to Iranian state media.
Turkey Slams the Killing of Haniyeh
Turkey strongly slammed the killing of Haniyeh. In a statement, the Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “Once again, this demonstrates that Israel’s Netanyahu government has no intention of achieving peace.
“[The] region will face much larger conflicts if [the] international community does not take action to stop Israel,” the statement added.
Qatar calls it “Heinous Crime”
Qatar called it a “heinous crime and a violation of international law“ and considers it a heinous crime, a dangerous escalation, and a flagrant violation of international and humanitarian law. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirms that this assassination and the reckless Israeli behavior of continuously targeting civilians in Gaza will lead to the region slipping into chaos and undermine the chances of peace,” the state of Qatar said.
Death of Sons
The killing of Haniyeh comes after a series of attacks targeting him and his family. Earlier in April this year, three sons of Haniyeh were killed in an Israeli air strike. The IDF confirmed the deaths of Amir Haniyeh, a cell commander in Hamas’ military wing, and Mohammad and Hazem Haniyeh, both military operatives, in central Gaza.
Earlier this year, four of his grandchildren were reportedly killed in a strike on the Shati refugee camp on the first day of Eid al-Fitr. However, despite these personal losses, Haniyeh maintained that Palestinian leaders would not be affected by such attacks and that these incidents would not change Hamas’ stance in ceasefire negotiations.
The IDF’s post on X on April 10 stated, “IAF aircraft struck Amir Haniyeh, a cell commander in the Hamas military wing, and Mohammad and Hazem Haniyeh, both Hamas military operatives, in central Gaza today. The IDF confirms that the three operatives are the sons of Ismail Haniyeh, the chairman of Hamas’ political bureau.”
In November 2023, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) targeted Haniyeh’s residence in Gaza, claiming it was being used as a hub for terrorist activities.
Geopolitical Implication
The killing of Haniey is expected to significantly affect the geopolitical implications. It might affect the future of hostage negotiation and could swell up the tension in the region. Meanwhile, there is also speculation about whether the United States was aware of any plans to assassinate Haniyeh in Iran.
