By Hamas’s political chief, Ismail Haniyeh, was assassinated in Tehran, Iran, according to a statement from the group that governs Gaza, which attributed his death to Israel.
Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards were killed when their residence was struck. Haniyeh was in Tehran for the inauguration ceremony of Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday. “The Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas mourns the loss of our leader, martyr, Mujahid Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in a treacherous Zionist raid on his residence in Tehran,” Hamas announced on Wednesday.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran also confirmed Haniyeh’s death. “Early this morning, the residence of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran was struck, resulting in his and one of his bodyguards’ martyrdom. The cause is under investigation and will be announced soon,” the IRGC stated. Reports indicate that Haniyeh was killed by an “airborne guided projectile” that hit a special residence for military veterans in northern Tehran around 2 am (22:30 GMT on Tuesday).
Israel has not commented on Haniyeh’s death, with media reporting that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office instructed cabinet ministers to remain silent. However, far-right Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu celebrated the death on social media platform X.
Israel initiated a war on Gaza to eliminate Hamas and its leaders after the group attacked Israel on October 7, resulting in 1,200 deaths and over 200 captives. The conflict has led to the deaths of at least 39,400 Palestinians and injuries to 90,996 others.
Haniyeh, who left the Gaza Strip in 2019, had been living in Qatar. Yahya Sinwar is the top Hamas leader in Gaza.
Reporting from Deir el-Balah in central Gaza, Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud described the killing as “significant” for the people of Gaza, as Haniyeh was leading ceasefire negotiations. “Palestinians view Ismail Haniyeh as a moderate and pragmatic leader, popular for his background growing up in a refugee camp,” Mahmoud said. His death raises concerns about a further escalation in the conflict.
Tensions were already heightened after Israel targeted a senior Hezbollah commander in a “precision strike” on Beirut on Tuesday. Sami al-Arian, director of the Center for Islam and Global Affairs at Istanbul Zaim University, described the recent events as a significant escalation by Israel with serious ramifications.
