Ismail Haniya. Photo: Wissam Nassar / Zuma Press
Ismail Haniya, known as the pragmatic and relatively moderate leader of Hamas, was killed in Iran in an attack attributed to Israel. Haniya, who is designated as a terrorist by the US and Israel, has played a key role in strengthening his organization’s combat capabilities, including by forging relations with Iran.
Escalation of the Conflict and Impact on Peace Negotiations
Hamas called the assassination of its political leader a serious escalation that will not go unanswered. Officials and analysts have warned that his death could affect ceasefire talks in Gaza, especially at a time when talks brokered by the US, Qatar and Egypt have already stalled after months of discussions.
Khaniya’s career in Hamas
Ismail Haniya, who was born in the Shati refugee camp in 1963, was the long-time head of the Hamas Politburo and played a vital role in diplomatic efforts to bring about a ceasefire. In 2017, he was elected head of the political wing of Hamas, and two years later he left the Gaza Strip in exile to Qatar. After that, he became the face of the Palestinian group’s international diplomacy, shuttling between Turkey, Iran and Qatar.
Significance in Diplomacy and Military Strategies
Haniya was seen as a suitable intermediary in dealing with hard-liners such as Yahya Sinwar of Gaza. Arab diplomats and officials saw him as a relatively pragmatic figure compared to other more militant voices in Gaza. In 2022, he told Al Jazeera that Hamas had received $70 million in military aid from Iran.
Reaction to Murder
Chania’s allies and even former rivals condemned his killing, fearing it could escalate the conflict. His death during a visit to Tehran caused concern among many, as Haniya was an important diplomatic leader who strengthened ties with other countries in the Middle East.
Haniya joined Hamas during the first Palestinian intifada in 1987 and was arrested and imprisoned several times in Israel. He went into exile with other Hamas leaders in 1992, but returned to Gaza a year later. He became a protégé of Hamas founder Sheikh Ahmad Yassin and played an important role in the group for many years.
Israel considers all members of the Hamas leadership to be terrorists and has accused Haniya and other leaders outside Gaza of continuing to “pull the strings of the terrorist organization Hamas.” In 2018, the US State Department recognized Haniya as a terrorist, saying that he was “a supporter of armed struggle, including against the civilian population.”
Hania’s three sons were killed in Gaza on April 10 this year during an Israeli airstrike. Four of his grandchildren were also killed in this attack. Haniya said the attack would not change the group’s demands for a permanent ceasefire and the return of displaced Palestinians.
The death of Ismail Haniya could have serious consequences for Hamas and the peace talks in the region. His role as a moderate and pragmatic leader who repaired relations with other countries will be difficult to replace, and his assassination is likely to further escalate the conflict.
