The Life and Leadership of Ismail Haniyeh

Imama Riaz 

Islamabad:  At around 2 am local time, Ismail Haniyeh, a prominent leader of Hamas, was killed by an airborne guided missile, which also claimed the life of his bodyguard. 

Haniyeh had traveled to Iran the previous day, Tuesday, for the inauguration of Iranian President Masaoud Pezeshkian.

During the meeting, Haniyeh expressed gratitude for Pezeshkian’s support, while the Iranian President reaffirmed Iran’s commitment to Palestinian freedom.

Iran and Hamas have accused Israel of carrying out the assassination, with Iran also blaming the US for its support of Israel.

Reporting from Deir el-Balah in central Gaza, Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud described the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh as a “significant” event, given that Haniyeh was leading ceasefire negotiations. Mahmoud noted that Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank regard Haniyeh as a more pragmatic and moderate leader within the movement.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, in his first speech on 1 August, 2024, after the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, said that Israel has given an “exemplary response” to its enemies. According to foreign media reports, this address of the Israeli Prime Minister was broadcast on television for about 5 minutes. However, he did not mention Ismail Haniyeh, the political head of Hamas, who was killed in Tehran. 

Who was Haniyeh?

Ismail Haniyeh, a prominent leader of Hamas, lived in Qatar for several years and was a key figure in the movement for over two decades. Born in the Al-Shāṭiʾ refugee camp in the Gaza Strip, Haniyeh received his education at schools run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

Haniyeh’s association with Hamas began in 1997 when he became the personal secretary to Ahmed Yassin, remaining a close confidant of the spiritual leader. Both were targets of a failed assassination attempt in Israel in 2003; however, Ahmed Yassin was assassinated later that year.

In 2006, Haniyeh led Hamas to a significant victory in the legislative elections against the Fatah movement, which had been in power for over a decade. His leadership faced challenges, including dismissal after the West refused to cooperate with Hamas.

In 2017, he was elected head of Hamas’s political bureau, and in 2018, the US Department of State designated him as a “terrorist.” By 2019, Haniyeh had left Gaza and moved abroad, residing in Turkey and Qatar while continuing to represent Hamas and lead the group’s efforts as its political chief.

On April 10, 2023, during ongoing conflicts, three of his children—Hazem, Amir, and Mohammed—and several of his grandchildren were killed in Gaza.

Impact on the Hamas-Israel Conflict

According to the analysts, the assassination is a huge blow, and has inflicted the chances of peace treaty between Palestine and Israel. 

“How can mediation succeed when one party assassinates the negotiator on the other side?” Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, a mediator in the talks, posted on X on Wednesday. “Peace needs serious partners & a global stance against the disregard for human life,” Al Thani wrote. 

The killing occurred hours after a strike on a senior Hezbollah commander in Beirut, following a rocket attack in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights that killed 12 people over the weekend.

The targeted attacks on two senior Iran-backed leaders within 24 hours have heightened fears of further conflict in the region.

Global Leaders on Haniyeh’s Assassination

Palestinian President

Condemned the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh as a “cowardly act.” Inas Haniyeh, Ismail Haniyeh’s daughter-in-law, mourned his death, calling him a “heroic martyr” and a “great leader.”

President of Türkiye

Called Haniyeh’s killing “shameful,” describing it as a “despicable act” intended to disrupt the Palestinian cause and demoralize the people of Palestine.

Iran’s Supreme Leader

 Stated in a social media post that “the tragic event will be avenged.”

US Secretary of State

Declared that the US was neither “aware of nor involved in” Haniyeh’s death and reiterated calls for a ceasefire and the release of Israelis held captive by Hamas in Gaza.

Jordan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs

Condemned the assassination as a “heinous crime and violation of international law.” Jordan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Aymen Safadi, warned that “Israel’s aggression towards Gaza will lead the region to more wars and destruction.”

Prime Minister of Malaysia

 Urged for intensified pressure on Israel, stating that “only the heedless and unconscionable will not see the need to intensify the pressure on Israel to stop their murderous rampage.”

Meta Removes Condolences

Following the killing of Haniyeh in Iran, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim shared a video of his phone call with a Hamas official to offer condolences. A similar post was also made on his Instagram account. Both posts were subsequently removed by Meta.

Anwar Ibrahim has criticized Meta for “cowardice” in response to the removal.

Meta classifies Hamas, the Palestinian movement governing Gaza, as a “dangerous organization,” and any content that supports or praises Hamas is removed, whether by automated systems or human review.

Malaysia’s Communications Minister, Fahmi Fadzil, has requested an explanation from Meta, but it remains unclear if the posts were removed due to an automatic process or a complaint.

The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh has sent shockwaves through the region, marking a grim turn in the ongoing conflict.

As the search for answers continues and the international community reacts, the killing underscores the deepening divisions and escalating violence that characterize the current geopolitical landscape. 

The global condemnation and varied responses reflect the complexities of the conflict and the significant impact of Haniyeh’s death on peace efforts and regional stability.

As the situation unfolds, the world watches closely, hoping for a resolution to the mounting tensions and a path towards lasting peace.