Hania was killed in the Iranian capital Tehran , reported by Hamas and Iran's Revolutionary Guard. According to the terrorist group, Israel is behind the attack.
Hamas announced the death of its leader Ismail Haniya. Haniya was killed in the Iranian capital Tehran, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards confirmed. "The cause is under investigation and will be announced soon," the paramilitary organization in Tehran said. One of his bodyguards was also killed, they added.
In a separate statement, the Hamas terror group said Haniya was killed after attending the inauguration of Iran's new president. "The brother, the leader, the mujahid Ismail Haniya, the head of the movement, was killed in a Zionist attack on his headquarters in Tehran after participating in the inauguration of the new president," the statement said. The Israeli army has not commented on allegations that it was behind the attack.
Who was Ismail Hania?
Ismail Hanaya became part of Hamas in 1987 when the group was formed. In 2006, he was elected Prime Minister of Palestine, but the opposition contested his legitimacy. In 2017, Haniya was elected head of the Hamas political bureau.
Since 2016, he has lived in exile in Qatar and Turkey and is responsible for the group's diplomacy. In recent months, he met with the political leaders of Turkey and Iran. The death of the 62-year-old is likely to further complicate the possibility of talks with Israel on a ceasefire and the release of the hostages Hamas has been holding since October 7. Haniya was considered a key player in these talks, which are being mediated by the US, Egypt and Qatar.
Israeli air attack on Beirut as well
Meanwhile, last night Israel carried out an airstrike on the southern parts of Beirut, in which Israeli security forces announced that they had killed Fouad Shukr - one of the commanders of Hezbollah. The strike is in response to the weekend attack on the Golan Heights that killed 12 children and youths. Israel blames Hezbollah for the attack, which the group denies.
Tuesday's strike killed at least three people and wounded at least 74, Lebanon's health ministry said. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati strongly condemned the attack and described it as a violation of international law.