Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh Killed in Alleged Zionist Raid on His Tehran Residence

Tehran, 31st July 2024: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards were killed in an attack on his residence in Iran, the Palestinian group announced today. According to the statement, Haniyeh died in “a treacherous Zionist raid on his residence in Tehran” on Tuesday morning. An investigation is underway to uncover more details about the incident.

Haniyeh was in Tehran to attend the inauguration of Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian. The statement described him as a “brother, leader, mujahid” and confirmed that he died in a Zionist strike on his headquarters after participating in the swearing-in ceremony.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards also confirmed the death, stating that Haniyeh’s residence in Tehran was “hit,” resulting in his and his bodyguard’s deaths.

The Israeli army has not yet responded to the news of Haniyeh’s death. Israel had previously vowed to eliminate Ismail Haniyeh and dismantle the Hamas group following the October 7 attack that claimed the lives of 1,195 people, mostly civilians.

Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza has resulted in at least 39,400 deaths, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-controlled territory.

Haniyeh was elected as the head of the Hamas political bureau in 2017, succeeding Khaled Meshaal. Known for his pragmatic approach, Haniyeh lived in exile, splitting his time between Turkey and Qatar. During the ongoing conflict, he undertook diplomatic missions to Iran and Turkey, meeting with both countries’ presidents.

Haniyeh maintained good relations with the leaders of various Palestinian factions, including those who rival Hamas. He joined Hamas in 1987, the year it was founded during the first Palestinian intifada, or uprising, against Israeli occupation, which lasted until 1993.