Who Was Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas Leader Recently Killed in Tehran?
Background and Early Life
Ismail Haniyeh, a prominent leader of the Palestinian militant group Hamas, was recently killed in Tehran, Iran, along with one of his bodyguards. The assassination has stirred speculation, particularly pointing to Israel as a potential suspect, though no group has officially claimed responsibility. This event follows Israel’s declared intent to target Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders in retaliation for the group’s October 7 attack on Israel.
Haniyeh was born into a Palestinian family displaced during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. His early years spent in a refugee camp deeply influenced his political views and aspirations. He attended United Nations-run schools before enrolling at the Islamic University of Gaza, where he graduated with a degree in Arabic literature in 1987. His university years marked the beginning of his involvement in student politics, leading him to join an Islamist student association connected to the Muslim Brotherhood, laying the foundation for his future role in Hamas.
Rise in Hamas
Ismail Haniyeh’s political trajectory took off with the founding of Hamas in 1987, during the First Intifada, a Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation. His close ties with Hamas’s spiritual leader, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, facilitated his ascent within the organization. Haniyeh faced multiple arrests by Israeli authorities due to his activism, spending significant time in prison during the late 1980s and early 1990s. In 1992, he was deported to Lebanon with other Hamas leaders but returned to Gaza in 1993 following the Oslo Accords. By 1997, he had become the head of Yassin’s office, consolidating his position within Hamas.
Haniyeh’s role during the Second Intifada (2000-2005) and his adept handling of internal and external pressures contributed to his rise in prominence within the group.
Political Leadership
Haniyeh’s most significant political achievement came in 2006 when Hamas won a majority in the Palestinian legislative elections. As a result, Haniyeh became the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority (PA). However, his tenure was marred by international condemnation and a suspension of aid, largely due to Hamas’s refusal to renounce violence and recognize Israel.
(With inputs from agency)
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