Hamas leader died in Tehran due to Israeli strike. The news was confirmed this morning by the Palestinian Islamist movement. Ismaïl Haniyeh went to Tehran to attend the swearing-in of the new Iranian president, Massoud Pezeshkian.
Exiled political leader, close to Erdogan, international arrest warrant, Ismaïl Haniyeh had a busy life. A life, which stopped Wednesday in Tehran because of a strike claimed by Israel. He was in Iran’s capital for the inauguration ceremony of Iran’s new president, Massoud Pezeshkian. Aged 61 and voluntarily exiled, Ismaïl Haniyeh lived between Turkey (where he acquired nationality in 2020) and Qatar, from where he headed the Hamas political office.
Originally from Gaza
Ismail Haniyeh born in the north of the Gaza Stripin the al-Chati’ refugee camp, on May 23, 1963. Studious, he graduated in 1987 from the Islamic University after obtaining a degree in Arabic literature. Then, he received a doctorate from the Islamic University in 2009. He worked as a member of the Student Council of the Islamic University of Gaza between 1983 and 1984. The following year, he was appointed as president of the Student Council.
Man begins his activity within the “Islamic bloc”who represented the student branch of the Muslim Brotherhood in the Gaza Strip. When Hamas was created in 1987, Ismaïl decided to join them during the first intifada, the “War of the Stones” (1987-93). Imprisoned several times, he was expelled by the Israeli government of Yitzhak Rabin to Lebanon in 1992. When he returned to Gaza a year later, he was appointed dean of the Islamic University.
Confidential man within Hamas
Now a member of Hamas, Ismaïl Haniyeh becomes closer to Ahmed Yassine, spiritual leader of Hamas killed in 2004 by Israel. Very close, he will become Yassine’s trusted man. That same year, he became leader of the Hamas movement in the Gaza Stripfollowing the martyrdom of Dr Abdel Aziz al-Rantissi. In view of the Palestinian legislative elections of 2006, it is the head of the “Change and Reform” list, who will win these elections. February 20, 2006he takes on the role of Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority chaired by Mahmoud Abbas. It was at this moment that he became known to the world. In a context of civil war with Fatah, he only remained in office for one year.
Still linked to Hamas, in May 2017he is elected head of the movement’s political officesucceeding Khaled Meshaal. Ismaïl Haniyeh was the victim of several assassination attempts. The last one before this Wednesday dates from 2003. Israeli planes carried out a raid targeting a group of resistance leaders, following a martyrdom operation by the al-Qassam Brigades. The man was the father of thirteen children, some of whom died in the bombings on Gaza and suspected by the Jewish state of being fighters in the armed wing of the terrorist group.
Israel’s number one target
In exile for several years between Qatar and Turkey, he was Jerusalem’s number 1 target since the terrorist attack of October 7, 2023. Indeed, Ismaïl Haniyeh was the subject of a arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). His potential role in this attack had aroused suspicion. Previously, he claimed in 2012 that “Hamas will never recognize Israel”. By adding: “The Palestinian struggle will continue until the entire land of Palestine and Jerusalem is liberated, and all Palestinian refugees return home”.
Jerusalem reached its target this Wednesday, taking advantage of the presence of Ismaïl Haniyeh in Tehran. His death now confirmed, Hamas condemned “a cowardly act, which will not go unanswered”.
