Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Tehran: he was called 'Israel's main enemy'

The leader of the Hamas terrorist organization Ismail Haniyeh was killed in the Iranian capital Tehran. He was one of the key mediators in the negotiations for the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip and "Israel's main enemy."

The death of Haniyeh was reported by Mehr News Agency. It is noted that his residence was attacked. One of the militant leader's bodyguards was also killed.

Hamas and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed this information, accusing Israel. The IRGC, in particular, noted that Haniyeh and his bodyguard died a "martyr's death."

Izzat al-Risheq, a representative of the Hamas political bureau, said that "the leader, brother, martyr, soldier of Allah, Shahid Ismail Haniyeh was killed in a treacherous Zionist attack near his residence in Tehran."

Shortly before his death, Khaniya met with Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and newly elected President Masoud Pezeshkian. In an official statement, Tehran confirmed the death of the Hamas leader and promised to investigate. It did not mentioned Israel's involvement.

What is known about Ismail Haniyeh

Ismail Abdel Salam Ahmed Haniyeh has been the head of Hamas' political bureau since 2017. He lived in Qatar. The militant leader's personal wealth is estimated at several billion dollars.

He was born in Gaza in 1963. He graduated from the Islamic University of Gaza with a degree in philology. However, while still a student, he joined terrorist groups; in 1989, he was arrested and, after three years in prison, exiled to Lebanon. In 1990, he returned to Gaza, where he was appointed dean of the Islamic University.

Haniyeh combined his "pedagogical" activities with terrorist ones, rapidly moving up the Hamas career ladder. He owed this mainly to the IDF, which eliminated militant leaders to free up vacancies in their ranks. In March 2006, Haniyeh visited Moscow at the invitation of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.

Haniyeh "earned" his millions by controlling financial flows in Gaza. Some of the funds were probably obtained by smuggling. The money could also have come to him in the form of donations from charitable foundations that were designed to improve the lives of Gazans.

In 2019, Haniyeh moved to Qatar, which angered his supporters. Video messages from expensive hotels and meetings with other Hamas leaders in the style of Arab sheikhs angered Gazans.

It is also known that the militant leader is allegedly married to his cousin Amal Haniyeh. They celebrated their wedding when they were both 16 years old. For the sake of family life, the girl dropped out of school and became a housewife.