On 31 July 2024,Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader ofHamas, was assassinated along with his personal bodyguard in the Iranian capitalTehran by anIsraeli attack.[4][5] Haniyeh was killed in his accommodation in a military-run guesthouse after attending the inauguration ceremony for Iranian presidentMasoud Pezeshkian.[6]Nasser Kanaani, the spokesman of theMinistry of Foreign Affairs ofIran, condemned this assassination and said that Haniyeh's "blood will never be wasted".[7]
The cause of Haniyeh's death is under investigation by Iran'sIslamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).[8] Differing reports emerged as to how he was killed, ranging from a missile strike[4] to a remotely detonated explosive device previously hidden in his bedroom at the IRGC-run guesthouse.[2] According to analysts, the assassination exposed critical security flaws.[9][10] The investigation has led to the arrest of over two dozen individuals, including senior intelligence and military officials, as well as staff from the guesthouse.[9]
Haniyeh was the political leader ofHamas, of which he had been a prominent member since its creation in the wake of theFirst Intifada against theIsraeli occupation in 1987, and was elected head of Hamas's political bureau in 2017. He had been living inQatar since leaving the Gaza Strip in 2019.[12]
Footage from his office in the Qatari capital ofDoha showed Haniyeh celebrating theOctober 7 attacks with other Hamas officials, before they prayed and praised God. According toThe Telegraph, Haniyeh became the "public face" of the attack, publicly describing it as the start of a new era in theIsraeli–Palestinian conflict.[13][14] He justified the attack by the plight of thePalestinians under the Israeli occupation.[15] In April 2024, three of his sons and four of his grandchildren were killed by Israel in theGaza Strip.[16]
The last known image of Haniyeh, reported by Iranian media, was taken on 30 July, a day before his death, at a theme park exhibition in Tehran featuring "axis of resistance" landmarks. In the photograph, he is accompanied byZiyad al-Nakhalah, leader ofPalestinian Islamic Jihad, and a group of men posing with a model of theDome of the Rock.[17]
The initial report of Ismail Haniyeh's killing emerged from Iran'sIslamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), who provided limited specifics regarding the circumstances of his death, which it said occurred early on 31 July and indicated that the incident was under investigation. Haniyeh was in Iran to attend the inauguration of PresidentMasoud Pezeshkian the previous day.[4] Haniyeh's aide and bodyguard, Wassim Abu Shaaban, was also killed in the attack.[20][21] According to Hamas, Haniyeh was killed by a "Zionist raid" on their residence. Israel declined to give any immediate comment.[22]
After Haniyeh's death, Iranian security agents raided the IRGC-run guesthouse, placing all staff members under quarantine, and confiscating electronic devices. More than two dozen individuals, including senior intelligence and military officials, as well as staff members, were arrested.[9] A separate team interrogated senior military and intelligence officials responsible for safeguarding the capital, placing several under arrest until the investigations were complete. The agents also combed through surveillance footage and guest lists at the guesthouse and monitored activities at Tehran's airports.[9]
Location
Fars News said the strike targeted "the special residences for war veterans in north Tehran",[1] but this was disputed byTasnim News.[23] According toAmwaj.media, Haniyeh was assassinated in theSa'dabad Complex, where he had unexpectedly decided to stay the night.[23] According toThe New York Times, Haniyeh was staying at an IRGC guesthouse in the Neshat compound, slightly northwest of Sa'dabad.[2] A Hamas official toldBBC News that Haniyeh was accompanied by three other leaders of the group in the building.[24]Ziyad al-Nakhalah was staying next door, but his room was not badly damaged. Medical personnel stationed in the compound immediately rushed to the site, but found both Haniyeh and Abu Shaaban dead.[2]
Method
Differing reports have emerged as to how Haniyeh was killed.
Al Mayadeen, a Lebanese outlet with close ties toHezbollah, reported that Haniyeh was hit by a missile fired from outside Iran.[13] Israel'sChannel 12 andSky News Arabia reported that the assassination was a missile strike but was launched from within Iran.[25][26]
TheNew York Times, based on information provided by several Middle Eastern officials, including two Iranians and an American official, reported that Haniyeh was assassinated by a remotely detonated explosive device hidden in his room.Axios reported that the bomb was detonated by Mossad agents on Iranian soil.[27] The device had been smuggled into the heavily guarded complex approximately two months earlier and was detonated once Haniyeh was confirmed to be in his room.[2] This report was independently confirmed by theJerusalem Post.[28] According toThe Telegraph, the IRGC believes that three explosives were planted in three separate rooms of the guesthouse by agents of itsAnsar al-Mahdi protection corps [fa] corps who were recruited by theMossad. The unit is responsible for protecting leaders of the Islamic Republic except theSupreme Leader and his family.[29] The report also said that the two agents involved in planting the bombs had left Iran beforehand.[30]
In a press conference on 31 July, Hamas officialKhalil al-Hayya said "Haniyeh was visible in public so his assassination is not an intelligence achievement ... we are waiting for the full investigation by the Iranian authorities".[31] Three Iranian officials described the breach as a catastrophic intelligence and security failure for Iran and an immense embarrassment for the IRGC, who use the compound for retreats, secret meetings, and accommodating prominent guests like Haniyeh.[2]
On 3 August, the IRGC said that Haniyeh was killed with "a short-range projectile carrying about 7 kilograms (15 lb) of explosive materials" that was launched from outside the building he was staying in[32] and accused Israel of responsibility in the killing and the United States of providing support.[30] It calledThe New York Times story a completely fabricated "tribute toGoebbels".[33]
Afuneral was held for Haniyeh at Tehran University on 1 August, with Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei leading prayers.[36] From there, the bodies of Haniyeh and his bodyguard were taken on a five-kilometer procession toAzadi Square.[37] Haniyeh's remains were then taken to Qatar for a ceremony at theImam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab Mosque followed by burial inLusail on 2 August.[38] Among those who attended the ceremony in Qatar were the Qatari Emir SheikhTamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Turkish Vice-presidentCevdet Yilmaz and Foreign MinisterHakan Fidan, and Hamas political bureau member Khalil al-Hayya. Diplomatic delegations from Pakistan and Malaysia were also present, as well as representatives fromFatah and thePalestinian Islamic Jihad.[39][40][41]
Aftermath
On 6 August, Hamas namedYahya Sinwar as the new political leader of Hamas replacing Haniyeh.[42]
Iran's Supreme LeaderAli Khamenei ordered a direct attack on Israel in response to the assassination.[43] Israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu threatened that Israel will exact a heavy price for any aggression, and warned they would launch a preemptive strike on Iran.[44][45] The editor ofKayhan newspaper,Hossein Shariatmadari argued the retaliation should include American interests as well.[46] Hezbollah leaderHassan Nasrallah promised retaliation regardless of the consequences.[47] Newly inaugurated PresidentMasoud Pezeshkian reportedly urged Khamenei to refrain from attacking Israel, warning of possible severe consequences for Iran's economy and infrastructure.[48] The U.S. warned Iran that a significant attack on Israel could pose a "serious risk" to its newly elected government and economy.[49]
On 6 August it was reported that Russia had begun delivering air defense systems to Iran.[50]
A few hours after Haniyeh's death was announced, the Al-Qassam Brigades claimed responsibility for a shooting and stabbing attack nearBeit Einun, north ofHebron in theWest Bank, which seriously wounded an Israeli man. They stated the attack was in retaliation for the assassination of Haniyeh and indicated more assaults would occur in the Hebron area.[51] On August 4, two elderly Israeli civilians were killed in astabbing attack inHolon by a Palestinian fromSalfit. Hamas described the attack as a "natural response" to Haniyeh's assassination, among other reasons.[52]
On 3 August, Iranian stock markets reported a 1.1 trilliontoman loss in investment, equivalent to around 3% in market value.[68][69] An Israeli hacker group claimed to have attacked IranianISPs and government websites,[70] while Iran claimed it conducted acyberattack onBen Gurion Airport.[71]
Iran started jammingGPS signals over its airspace.[72] The IDF started jamming GPS signals inTel Aviv.[73] TheShin Bet prepared a bunker for Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu,[74] and the IDF was ordered to be ready to counterattack in case of an Iranian attack.[75] United States Secretary of StateAntony Blinken spoke with foreign ministers of theG7 to discuss the deescalation effort on 4 August,[76] and sources said that he predicted an Iranian strike "within the next 24 to 48 hours".[77] Germany'sCDU party urged the German government to deploy theBundeswehr as part of the coalition defending Israel from an Iranian attack.[78] On 5 August, Israeli foreign ministerIsrael Katz said that his Iranian counterpart had messaged the Hungarian foreign ministerPéter Szijjártó that they intend to attack Israel.[79]
On 8 AugustNOTAMs were broadcast in Iranian and Lebanese airspaces.[80] Iran continued to build up for an attack on Israel[81] although the situation is complex, and a week later an attack had not occurred.[82]
On 19 August, the Al-Qassam Brigades announced a return to the strategy ofsuicide attacks in Israeli cities, which they had previouslyabandoned in 2006, while Haniyeh was Prime Minister of Palestine and leader in exile of Hamas' political bureau.[83]
PresidentMahmoud Abbas condemned the killing, calling it "a cowardly act and a serious escalation". He also called for the Palestinian people to unite.[20][85] Palestine's deputy permanent observer to the United Nations, Feda Abdelhady Nasser, called on the international community to stop Israel from dragging the Middle East into the "abyss".[86] FormerPLO memberHanan Ashrawi said that Israel's "gangster style" assassination of Haniyeh was made to "inflame the whole region".[87]
Hamas said that it mourned the death of Haniyeh, who it said was killed in "a treacherous Zionist raid on his residence".[88] Senior Hamas officialMousa Abu Marzook said that Haniyeh's assassination was "a cowardly act that will not pass in vain".[89] Another senior official,Sami Abu Zuhri, accused Israel of killing Haniyeh, stating that it aims to break the will of Hamas and the Palestinians.[90] Hamas's military wing, the Al-Qassam Brigades, called the assassination a "dangerous event" that will have "major repercussions across the entire region".[91]
Palestinian Islamic Jihad released a statement saying that it "mourns with the Palestinian people and the Arab andIslamic nation" for the death of Haniyeh.[92]
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei held an emergency Supreme National Security Council meeting with top Iranian officials following the assassination.[17] Khamenei later stated that "With this action, the criminal andterroristZionist regime prepared the ground for harsh punishment for itself, and we consider it our duty to seek revenge for his blood as he wasmartyred in the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran".[94]The New York Times, citing Iranian officials, reported that he ordered direct strikes against Israel in response to the assassination.[43][95]Foreign Ministry spokesmanNasser Kanaani condemned the assassination, stating that Haniyeh's "blood will never be wasted".[7] President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned the assassination and said Iran will defend its territorial integrity and make those responsible regret their actions.[4] The government announced three days of public mourning for Haniyeh.[96] At theUnited Nations, Iran's ambassadorAmir Saeid Iravani, called on theUN Security Council to condemn Israel and said that Iran had a right to respond in self-defence to the killing, which he described as part of "Israel's decades-long pattern of terrorism and sabotage targeting Palestinians and other supporters of the Palestinian cause across the region and beyond." He also accused the United States of responsibility over the assassination.[86] The chief of staff of theIranian armed forces,Mohammad Bagheri, suggested that the response could come as part of a coordinated effort with theAxis of Resistance.[3]
A red flag was hoisted above theJamkaran Mosque inQom and theMilad Tower in Tehran was lit up in red overnight.[3] A large banner was placed in Tehran's Palestine Square, featuring a portrait of Haniyeh alongside the Dome of the Rock, with a message inFarsi andHebrew reading: 'Wait for severe punishment.'"[99]
The Israel Defense Forces toldCNN they "don't respond to reports in the foreign media".[103] The IDF did not release new security guidelines for civilians.[6] Heritage MinisterAmihai Eliyahu praised the assassination, saying that it "makes the world a little better",[104][90] and that killing him was "the right way to cleanse the world from this filth."[105][106] Israel increased security measures at its diplomatic missions and Jewish sites worldwide.[107] The security ofIsrael's delegation in the2024 Summer Olympics was increased due to fears of potential attacks.[108] Then-Defense MinisterYoav Gallant addressed troops at anArrow missile air-defense battery, stating, "We don't want war, but we are preparing for all possibilities."[109] In December 2024, Defense MinisterIsrael Katz confirmed Israel's responsibility in the assassination of Haniyeh while delivering a threat to the YemeniHouthi movement, stating, "We will strike [the Houthis'] strategic infrastructure and decapitate its leaders. Just as we did to Haniyeh,Sinwar, andNasrallah, in Tehran, Gaza, and Lebanon—we will do inHodeidah andSanaa."[5][110]
International
The United Nations Security Council held an emergency session on 31 July following the assassination, during which China, Russia and Algeria condemned the killing. The United States, United Kingdom and France discussed Iranian support for "destabilising" actors in the Middle East, while Japan expressed concern over an all-out war in the region.[86] UN Secretary-GeneralAntónio Guterres called the Israeli attacks on Tehran and in Beirut againstFuad Shukr a "dangerous escalation".[111] A spokesman for theEU foreign policy chief,Josep Borrell, said that the bloc rejected "extrajudicial executions", adding that "No country, nor any nation stands to gain from further escalation in the Middle East".[112] Following an extraordinary meeting inJeddah, Saudi Arabia on 7 August, theOrganisation of Islamic Cooperation issued a statement attributing "full responsibility" over the assassination to Israel, adding that it was a "serious infringement" of Iranian sovereignty.[113]
Egypt's foreign ministry said that the assassination of Haniyeh indicates that Israel has no political will for a ceasefire.[114]
The Jordanian foreign ministry condemned the killing and expressed condolences to the Palestinian nation and the relatives of those killed in the attack.[115]
TheIraqi government strongly condemned the "aggressive" operation, calling it a violation of international law and a threat.[116]
Oman also described the assassination as a "blatant violation of international law".[117]
Syria described the assassination as a "crime" and "a terrorist attack".[118]
The Afghan government's chief spokesmanZabihullah Mujahid praised Haniyeh as an "intelligent and resourceful Muslim leader" who made significant sacrifices. He stated that theTaliban-run administration considers it both an Islamic and humanitarian duty to defend Hamas.[119]
Qatar, where Haniyeh regularly resided, strongly condemned the assassination describing it as a "heinous crime, a dangerous escalation, and a blatant violation of international and humanitarian law."[120] Its prime minister, SheikhMohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani asked "how can mediation succeed when one party assassinates the negotiator on the other side?"[121][122]
Hezbollah in Lebanon offered condolences without directly attributing blame to Israel, suggesting that the incident would bolster the determination of Iran-aligned groups to confront Israel.[123]
Mohammed al-Houthi, president of theSupreme Revolutionary Committee in Yemen, condemned the attack, calling it "a heinous terrorist crime and a flagrant violation of laws and ideal values".[90] Muslims performed the funeral prayer in absentia for Haniyeh inSanaa.[124]
In Indonesia, PresidentJoko Widodo condemned the assassination as political violence and requested many people to condemn it.[128][129] In a video statement, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also condemned the assassination, and stated that the assassination will lead into further destabilization of the region, provoke escalation of tension into full war, and damage any attempts for peace.[130] Muslims prayed for Haniyeh at theIstiqlal mosque inJakarta.[124]
The Malaysian government condemned the assassination and called for dialogue.[131] Former prime ministerMahathir Mohamad said that "They may kill Mr Haniyeh but not his ideas and what he stood for".[132]
PakistaniPrime MinisterShehbaz Sharif called the assassination a "barbaric act" that violated international law, he later said that 2 August would be a day of mourning for Haniyeh,[133] Shehbaz and other government officials offered funeral prayers in absentia for Haniyeh atParliament House inIslamabad, separately,Jamaat-e-Islami chiefHafiz Naeem ur Rehman announced funeral prayers in absentia for Haniyeh.[124][134] The government condemned the assassination and warned against Israeli "adventurism in the region".[135]
ThePresident of Turkey,Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, condemned the killing of his ally and "brother" Haniyeh, stating that the attack was to disrupt the Palestinian cause, and that "Zionist barbarism will not reach its goals".[136] TheTurkish foreign ministry condemned the "heinous" assassination, stating that the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "has no intention of achieving peace".[137] A day of mourning for Haniyeh was declared in Turkey for 2 August.[138] Turkey's deputy ambassador to Israel was summoned by the Israeli foreign ministry after theTurkish flag at its embassy inTel Aviv was lowered tohalf-mast for Haniyeh.[139] People attended funeral prayers in absentia for Haniyeh in theHagia Sophia Grand Mosque inIstanbul.[124]
In theUnited States, aWhite House spokesperson acknowledged that they had seen reports of Haniyeh's death but declined to provide any immediate comments.[140] Defense SecretaryLloyd Austin said he did not think a wider war in the Middle East was inevitable and further added that this will resolve in a diplomatic fashion, adding that the United States would assist Israel if it were attacked,[92] and reiterated "unwavering commitment" to the security of Israel.[141] PresidentJoe Biden said Haniyeh's assassination "doesn't help" talks towards a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.[142]
The German government called for "maximum restraint" and de-escalation.[143]
China's foreign ministry spokespersonLin Jian condemned the assassination and said the government was "deeply concerned that this incident may lead to further instability in the regional situation".[144] Chinese foreign ministerWang Yi addressed the implications of the assassination occurring on Iranian soil, stating, "China supports Iran in defending its sovereignty, security and national dignity in accordance with the law".[145]
Russian deputy foreign ministerMikhail Bogdanov condemned the assassination, calling it an "unacceptable political murder".[90] Presidential spokespersonDmitry Peskov said that theKremlin "strongly condemned" the killing that would hinder peace across the region.[146]
The Dutch far-right politicianGeert Wilders praised the assassination, writing: "Good riddance!"[148]
TheMaldivian government condemned the assassination and called on all nations to "work together towards finding an urgent and lasting solution to the Gaza crisis".[149]
Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, asked both sides to show restraint.[151]
TheUnited Arab Emirates expressed "deep concern over the continued escalation" and said it was "closely monitoring the rapid regional developments".[152]
Media and analysts
Peter Ricketts, UK's formerNational Security Advisor, was quoted by the BBC as saying that the assassination was "a very powerful demonstration of Israel's ability to reach out right across the region."[153]
Writing forForeign Policy, retired U.S. State Department officialHala Rharrit interpreted the assassination as an attempt by Israel to draw the United States into a war with Iran and destroy peace negotiations.[154]
CNN noted that Haniyeh's killing was "a significant blow" to Hamas, occurring "at a fraught time for the Middle East," and added that it "also throws into question the future of Israel–Hamas negotiations."[155]Nick Paton Walsh, writing for CNN, described the killing as humiliating for Iran and possibly for the IRGC, who might have been responsible for protecting Haniyeh. He noted that the assassination of two senior figures in Iranian-backed groups, Hezbollah and Hamas, within hours, challenges Iran'ssovereignty and its image as a regional power capable of protecting its allies and raises questions about its potential response.[10]
The New York Times described the assassination as a shocking humiliation for the Iranian leadership, stating it was not "only an earth-shattering collapse of intelligence and security; nor only a failure to protect a key ally; nor evidence of the inability to curb the infiltration of Mossad; nor a humiliating reputational blow. It was all of those, and more. Perhaps most important, it delivered a jarring realization that if Israel could target such an important guest, on a day when the capital was under heightened security, and carry out the attack at a highly secure compound equipped with bulletproof windows, air defense and radar, then no one was really safe." Ali Vaez, the Iran director for theInternational Crisis Group, a non-profit think tank for conflict research and prevention, said that "the perception that Iran can neither protect its homeland nor its key allies could be fatal for the Iranian regime, because it basically signals to its foes that if they can't topple the Islamic Republic, they can decapitate it."[9]
El País noted that Israel blames Iran as responsible for the instability in the Middle East. As Tehran supports the economic, military, and strategy of Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis, the assassination is sending the double message of acting against Hamas and, furthermore, doing it in Iran.[157]
The Jerusalem Post described Haniyeh's death as a "major setback" for "Iranian-backed terrorism", adding that "while some are already viewing the killing of the Hamas terror leader as an escalation, the reality is that his death is a small amount of justice for the crimes of October 7."[158]Avi Issacharoff, writing forYedioth Ahronoth, wrote that Haniyeh's assassination is expected to prompt a response from Iran, which may carefully consider its actions given potential repercussions onits nuclear program. Issacharoff considers that Hamas continues to suffer significant setbacks.[159]
The Associated Press speculated that Hezbollah might get involved in Iran's retaliation against Israel. They noted that Hezbollah could seek revenge for an Israeli strike that killed senior Hezbollah commanderFuad Shukr, which occurred a few hours prior to Haniyeh's assassination.[160]
James Franklin Jeffrey considers that Israel aims to escalate the situation in order to restore respect for Israel's deterrence capabilities, undermine Iranian influence in the Middle East and obtain negotiations over a Gaza ceasefire that would bee more advantageous to their interests.[161]
Censorship by social media
A Facebook post byPrime Minister of MalaysiaAnwar Ibrahim regarding the assassination was taken down by Facebook's ownerMeta Platforms, prompting him to accuse the social media firm of "cowardice".[162][163] On 6 August, Meta issued an apology for the incident and restored the deleted content, blaming it on an operational error.[164]
Turkey blocked access to Instagram after presidential communications directorFahrettin Altun accused it of "censoring" posts mourning the death of Haniyeh and other Hamas-related posts without proper reason.[165] The blockage was lifted on 10 August.[166]
^An investigation byThe New York Times concluded that the assassination was caused by an explosive device that was smuggled into the guesthouse where Haniyeh was staying, although the IRGC dismissed this claim and attributed Haniyeh's death to a "short-range projectile" launched by Israel out of the building he was in.[2][3]
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Media related toAssassination of Ismail Haniyeh at Wikimedia Commons
