Top Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh Assassinated in Tehran Raid

Publish date: Wednesday، 31 July 2024

Hamas has announced the death of its top leader, Ismail Haniyeh, following an Israeli raid on his residence in Tehran. The incident, reported on Wednesday, has sparked a strong reaction from Hamas and other senior figures, including Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who have labeled it an "assassination" and pledged retaliation.

Top Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh Assassinated in Tehran Raid

Details of the Incident

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps is investigating the cause of the attack but has not yet clarified the circumstances surrounding it. According to reports, Haniyeh was killed after attending the inauguration of Iran’s new President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday.

Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza, has condemned the raid as a "treacherous Zionist attack" and vowed to respond. Hamas official Musa Abu Marzuk described the killing as a "cowardly act," while Sami Abu Zuhri, another senior Hamas member, promised that the group would continue its efforts despite the loss.

Top Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh Assassinated in Tehran Raid

Background on Ismail Haniyeh

Haniyeh, 62, was a prominent figure in Hamas since the late 1980s and had a history of clashes with Israeli authorities. He was imprisoned by Israel in 1989 during the first Palestinian uprising and later exiled in 1992. Haniyeh became the Palestinian prime minister in 2006 but was dismissed a year later following violent clashes with Fatah party members in Gaza.

Despite his dismissal, Haniyeh continued to lead Gaza and was elected head of Hamas’s political bureau in 2017. The U.S. Department of State designated him a terrorist in 2018. He had been living in Qatar in recent years.

International Reactions

As of now, Israel has not commented on the incident. The situation remains tense as investigations continue and Hamas prepares for possible retaliation.

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Top Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh Assassinated in Tehran Raid

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