Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh Killed in Israeli Strike in Iran
On July 31, Hamas announced that its political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, was killed in an Israeli strike in Tehran, Iran. Haniyeh had been attending the inauguration of Iran’s new president at the time of the attack.
In a statement, Hamas declared, “Brother, leader, mujahid Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the movement, died in a Zionist strike on his headquarters in Tehran after he participated in the inauguration of the new (Iranian) president.” Iran’s Revolutionary Guards also confirmed Haniyeh’s death, stating that his residence in Tehran was “hit” and he was killed along with a bodyguard.
Haniyeh had traveled to Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The Israeli army did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Haniyeh’s death.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to destroy Hamas and recover all hostages taken during the October 7 attack that led to the current conflict in the Gaza Strip. The attack by Hamas on southern Israel resulted in 1,197 deaths, mostly civilians, and the abduction of 251 hostages, with 111 still held in Gaza.
Ismail Haniyeh, elected head of the Hamas political bureau in 2017, was a prominent figure in Palestinian politics, having previously served as the Palestinian prime minister following Hamas’s victory in the 2006 parliamentary election. Known for his pragmatism, Haniyeh lived in exile and divided his time between Turkey and Qatar, maintaining diplomatic relations with various Palestinian factions and international leaders.
The ongoing Israeli military campaign in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of at least 39,400 people, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Iran, a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause since the 1979 Islamic revolution, praised Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel but denied any direct involvement.
Hamas reported that Haniyeh’s three sons—Hazem, Amir, and Mohammad—were killed in a bombing in Gaza’s Al-Shati camp, along with two of his grandchildren, while a third grandchild was wounded.
The situation remains volatile as rescue operations continue and international responses develop.
