Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh killed in Tehran attack

In a significant blow to the radical Palestinian movement Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, the chief of its political bureau, was killed early on July 31 in Tehran.

According to a statement released by the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards were martyred when their residence was targeted in the Iranian capital, Caliber.Az reports via Iranian media.

"With condolences to the heroic nation of Palestine and the Islamic nation and the combatants of the Resistance Front and the noble nation of Iran, this morning (July 31) the residence of Mr. Dr. Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the political office of the Islamic Resistance of Hamas, was hit in Tehran, and following this incident, he and one of his bodyguards were martyred," the IRGC statement read.

Hamas accused Israel of orchestrating the attack, alleging it was a targeted raid following Haniyeh's participation in the inauguration of Iran’s new President Masoud Pezeshkian. The Israeli military, however, refrained from commenting on the reports.

Iranian authorities have initiated an investigation into the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas' political bureau, in Tehran.

Authorities have assured the public that the findings of the investigation will be disclosed soon.

In response to Haniyeh's death, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his stance against Hamas, stating on July 13, 2024, that Israel "will get to the entire Hamas leadership one way or another."

"This assassination is, in a way, just a matter of when, not a matter of if," said CNN Political and Foreign Policy Analyst Barak Ravid, emphasizing that Israel viewed Haniyeh as responsible for the October 7 attacks by Hamas on Israel. Although not militarily significant, Ravid noted that Haniyeh's death would influence ongoing hostage and ceasefire negotiations.

The timing of Haniyeh's death adds to the escalating tensions in the Middle East. Recent confrontations between Israel and Hezbollah are threatening to expand into a broader regional conflict. Additionally, Hamas continues to engage in intense battles with Israeli forces in Gaza, amidst a severe humanitarian crisis.

Hamas' political bureau member, Musa Abu Marzouk, vowed that Haniyeh’s death would "not pass in vain," asserting the group's readiness to make significant sacrifices. The group has endured the loss of other senior leaders before, including Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and Abdel Aziz Rantisi in 2004, and Saleh Al Arouri in January, who was killed in Beirut.

Haniyeh, 62, a Gaza-born leader who rose through Hamas' ranks, was known for his diplomatic engagements with figures such as former US President Jimmy Carter and the Emir of Qatar. Despite suffering personal losses, including the deaths of his sons and grandchildren in Israeli airstrikes, Haniyeh remained steadfast in his political and resistance efforts.

The White House acknowledged the reports of Haniyeh's death but has yet to issue a detailed comment. The incident follows Israel’s reported killing of Hezbollah's senior military official, Fu'ad Shukr, in Beirut, marking a period of intensified hostilities in the region.