The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has revealed that Hamas’s political chief, Ismail Haniyeh, has been assassinated in Tehran, Iran, on Wednesday.
The IRGC has stated that investigations into the circumstances of the incident are ongoing.
Hamas confirmed Haniyeh’s death, alleging that he was killed by Israeli forces shortly after attending the inauguration of Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, on Tuesday.
While Israel has not issued an official comment on the matter, the nation has previously stated its intention to target Hamas leaders in response to the October 7 attacks that initiated the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Haniyeh’s assassination marks a significant blow to Hamas, as he is the highest-ranking official from the group to be killed since the onset of the current conflict.
His death comes just hours after Israel claimed responsibility for the killing of a senior Hezbollah leader in Beirut, heightening the risk of further escalation in the war in Gaza and potentially extending its impact across the broader Middle East.
With Iran supporting both Hamas and Hezbollah, Haniyeh’s assassination on Iranian soil is likely to intensify regional tensions at a time when the U.S. is urging both parties to negotiate a cease-fire.
As Hamas’s overall political leader, Haniyeh played a crucial role within the organization’s intricate leadership structure, which comprises both a military wing and a political arm.
While Yahya Sinwar, Hamas’s leader in Gaza, has been viewed as the primary decision-maker, Haniyeh was instrumental in the group’s consensus-driven leadership approach. His assassination could complicate ongoing cease-fire negotiations mediated by Arab nations.
With a series of targeted killings against Hamas officials since the war began, including Haniyeh’s deputy and family members, Israel has intensified its campaign against the organization, further exacerbating the conflict in the region.
