This morning, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was reportedly killed in Iran, as announced by the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
Hamas said that Haniyeh was assassinated during a “sneaky Zionist invasion of his residence in Tehran.” He had travelled to the Iranian capital to attend the swearing-in of Iran’s newly elected president Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday.
BIG! Israeli Bombing Ismail Haniyeh’s Tehran Home After Being Killed in Iran
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps confirmed the incident but did not provide further information about how Haniyeh was killed and mentioned that investigations are ongoing concerning the attack.
“With sadness for Palestine’s heroic nation, Islamic world and Front of resistance fighters and noble Iranians. This morning (Wednesday) Mr. Dr. Ismaeil Hanieh’s residence in Tehran was targeted and following this event. He and one of his body guards were martyred,” said the Brigadier General Ramezan Sharif. “The cause is under investigation and will be announced soon,” it added.
Hamas blamed Israel for killing their leader and cautioned that ‘there would be no escape’.
“This murder by the Israeli occupation of brother Haneyya is a dangerous act of escalation aimed at breaking down Hamas’ spirit,” commented senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri to Reuters.
In spite of losing three sons to an airstrike carried out by Israel, Ismail Haniyeh acted as the spokesman for worldwide diplomacy during Gaza conflict. Nevertheless, compared with hardliners within Gaza among them members supported by Iran, many diplomats regarded him relatively moderate despite making bold public statements.
HAMAS’ DEADLY ULTIMATUM: DOOMSDAY AWAITS ISRAEL AFTER ISMAIL HANIYEH ASSASSINATION IN IRAN
Since being elevated to head Hamas in 2017, Haniyeh divided his time between Turkey and Qatar’s capital, Doha, avoiding the travel ban imposed on Gaza Strip. The move allowed him to participate in ceasefire negotiations and kept his link with Iran.
On April 10 an Israeli airstrike targeted a car carrying three of Haniyeh’s sons – Hazem, Amir and Mohammad – killing them as well as four of Haniyeh’s grandchildren including 3 girls and one boy according to Hamas.
