Ismail Haniyeh, a prominent figure in Hamas and leader of the group’s political office in Doha, Qatar, met his tragic end while on a visit to Iran. Haniyeh, aged 62, originally hailing from the Shati refugee camp in northern Gaza, played a pivotal role in Hamas, guiding the organization through various conflicts with Israel and electoral processes.
Most recently, he was actively involved in critical negotiations and diplomatic efforts for Hamas, such as the ongoing indirect talks for a cease-fire mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States to bring an end to the hostilities in Gaza.
Haniyeh had narrowly survived an assassination attempt in 2003 when Israel targeted him and his mentor, the spiritual leader and founder of Hamas, Sheik Ahmed Yassin. Unfortunately, Sheik Yassin was assassinated by the Israeli military the following year.
Addressing a crowd outside Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City during the tumultuous times, Haniyeh displayed resilience, urging the people to remain steadfast and prepared for retaliation.
Tragically, Ismail Haniyeh was killed during his presence in Tehran, Iran’s capital, attending the inauguration of Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian. The event was also attended by other key members of Iran’s “axis of resistance,” a coalition that includes Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis.
