Tehran, July 31: In a significant blow to Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, the Chief of Hamas Political Bureau, was assassinated in Tehran. Haniyeh was reportedly attacked by unknown assailants while attending the inauguration of Iran's new president Masoud Pezeshkian and meeting with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The attack also claimed the life of his bodyguard.

On Wednesday morning, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps issued a statement saying Haniyeh and his Iranian bodyguard were killed in a raid by the “Zionist entity”, referring to Israel. Hamas also issued a statement saying Haniyeh was killed in a raid at his residence in Tehran. Details of the circumstances of his assassination are still awaited. Ismail Haniyeh Dead: Hamas Political Bureau Chief Killed in Attack in Iran’s Tehran, Confirms Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Who was Ismail Haniyeh?

Haniyeh, full name Ismail Abdel Salam Ahmed Haniyeh, was a prominent figure in Palestinian politics and a key leader of the militant Islamist organisation Hamas. Born in the Al-Shati refugee camp in Gaza after his family fled their village during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, Haniyeh rose to prominence through his involvement in student activism at the Islamic University of Gaza, where he studied Arabic literature. Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh's House in Gaza Struck by Israeli Airstrikes, IDF Shares Video of Attack.

Joining Hamas in its early days during the First Intifada in 1987, Haniyeh played a crucial role in the organisation's growth and strategy. His political career saw a notable milestone in 2006 when he led Hamas to a landmark victory in the Palestinian legislative elections, becoming the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority. However, a violent power struggle with the rival faction Fatah led to Hamas seizing control of Gaza in 2007, after which Haniyeh's position was dismissed by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

In 2017, Haniyeh succeeded Khaled Meshaal as the Chief of the Hamas Political Bureau, where he continued to steer the organisation’s political and military activities. Known for his firm stance against Israel, Haniyeh was often considered a central figure in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israeli forces had reportedly kept him under surveillance for a long time, alleging his involvement in planning the October 7 terror attack in Israel.

Haniyeh's family life has been marred by the ongoing conflict, with several of his children and grandchildren being killed in Israeli attacks. He leaves behind his wife and thirteen children. While hailed by many Palestinians as a resistance leader, Hamas is designated as a terrorist organisation by Israel and several other countries due to its history of violence and attacks on civilians.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 31, 2024 11:49 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).