Ismail Haniyeh, known for managing Hamas’s international relations and being highly recognizable globally, met his demise in Iran, with both Tehran and Hamas pointing fingers at Israel for the assassination. While this event is significant, analysts believe that Hamas is resilient and has historically bounced back from the loss of key political and military figures.
According to Ibrahim Madhoun, an Istanbul-based analyst with close ties to Hamas, while Haniyeh’s death is a major setback, Hamas has navigated similar challenges before and emerged stronger. The group has experienced the loss of prominent leaders like Ahmed Yassin, Salah Shehadeh, Abdel Aziz Rantisi, and Ahmed al-Jabari to targeted killings by Israel, yet it has remained steadfast.
For years, Ismail Haniyeh was synonymous with Hamas, holding key roles within the organization and acting as a bridge between its military and political wings. Despite his crucial role, Hamas’s strength lies in its institutional framework rather than individual leaders, as noted by Mkhaimar Abusada, a political science professor from Gaza City.
List of Hamas Leaders Assassinated by Israel:
| Name | Year |
|---|---|
| Ahmed Yassin | 2004 |
| Salah Shehadeh | 2002 |
| Abdel Aziz Rantisi | 2004 |
| Ahmed al-Jabari | 2012 |
