Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the political bureau of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), was assassinated early Wednesday in an Israeli air strike on one of the special residences for veterans in northern Tehran. The attack occurred shortly after Haniyeh attended the inauguration ceremony of Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian.
Hamas confirmed Haniyeh’s death in a statement, condemning the “treacherous Zionist raid” that also killed a member of Haniyeh’s protection team. The movement mourned the loss of Haniyeh, hailing him as a “martyr leader and Mujahid.”
Iranian state television confirmed the killing and reported that an investigation into the incident is underway, with results to be announced soon. Haniyeh’s last public appearance was at President Pezeshkian’s inauguration on Tuesday evening, where he held discussions regarding the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israeli officials have yet to comment on the assassination, maintaining their silence as international reactions pour in.
The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the assassination, describing it as “despicable.” The ministry’s statement criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, accusing it of having no intention of achieving peace. “The assassination of Haniyeh aims to extend the scope of the war from Gaza to the regional level,” the statement added, warning of greater conflicts if the international community does not take action against Israel.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani vowed that Haniyeh’s blood “will never be in vain,” emphasizing that the martyrdom would strengthen the relationship between Iran and Palestine. Kanaani confirmed that Iranian authorities are investigating the assassination.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov condemned the killing as a “completely unacceptable political crime” that would lead to further escalation of tensions. He called for an end to such actions to prevent a broader conflict.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas strongly condemned the assassination, calling it a “cowardly act and a dangerous development.” He urged Palestinian unity and steadfastness in the face of the Israeli occupation.
Muhammad al-Hindi, Deputy Secretary-General of the Iran-backed Islamic Jihad Movement, stated that Haniyeh’s assassination was a direct attack on both the Palestinian resistance and Iran. Mustafa Barghouti, Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Initiative Movement, declared that such “heinous crimes” would only strengthen Palestinian resolve to fight for freedom and dignity.
Hussein al-Sheikh, Secretary-General of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), also condemned the assassination, calling for Palestinian unity in resisting the occupation.
Abdul Rahim Attoun, a prominent scholar of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), expressed his condolences to Haniyeh’s family and the people of Gaza and Hamas, describing Haniyeh as a brother, leader, and martyr. He prayed for mercy and strength for the Mujahideen in Gaza and Palestine, emphasizing steadfastness in the face of adversity. Attoun called for divine justice against the “criminal Zionists” and those who support them, urging continued resistance.
Haniyeh re-elected as the head of Hamas’s political bureau in 2021, had been actively involved in Palestinian politics since his early years with the Islamic Bloc, the student arm of the Muslim Brotherhood. Since October 7, 2023, Israel, with US support, has intensified its military operations in Gaza, resulting in significant casualties and widespread destruction. The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian factions.
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