Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the political wing of Hamas, was killed in Tehran in an attack early Wednesday morning, according to statements from Hamas and Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. Haniyeh was in Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iran’s newly elected president, Masoud Pezeshkian.
Hamas claimed that the attack on Haniyeh’s residence in Tehran was carried out by Israeli operatives, a claim echoed by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. The attack reportedly took place at 11:30 pm local time on Tuesday, with missiles hitting the government-allocated residence for dignitaries in the north of Tehran, reducing it to rubble. Haniyeh’s bodyguard was also killed in the attack.
Background and Repercussions
Ismail Haniyeh, born in 1963 in the Al Ati refugee camp in Gaza, had been a central figure in Hamas since its establishment in 1987. He rose to prominence in 2006 when Hamas won a majority in the Palestinian parliamentary elections, leading to his appointment as prime minister by President Mahmoud Abbas. However, Haniyeh was dismissed from the position in 2007 amid violent conflicts between Hamas and Fatah, another Palestinian faction. He had been living in exile in Turkey and Qatar for several years.
Haniyeh’s death comes amidst heightened tensions between Israel and Hamas. He was at the top of Israel’s “Most Wanted” list, especially after an Israeli missile attack in the West Bank of Gaza last April that killed his three children, Hazem, Amir, and Muhammad Ismail, as well as three of his grandchildren.
International Reactions
The international community is largely in agreement that Israel is likely behind the attack, despite no official statement from the Israeli government. Iran-backed Lebanese militia Hezbollah and Iran have previously targeted high-ranking Israeli officials with guided missile attacks.
The death of Haniyeh is expected to escalate the already volatile situation in the region. Hamas has vowed retaliation, and the incident has further strained the fragile peace between Israel and Palestine. As the world watches closely, the implications of this event are likely to resonate across the Middle East and beyond.
Conclusion
Ismail Haniyeh’s assassination marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. As both sides brace for the aftermath, the potential for increased violence looms large, with the international community urging restraint and dialogue to prevent further bloodshed.
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