Hamas has announced that a senior leader has been killed in Iran. Ismail Haniyeh was the group’s political leader.
According to both Hamas and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Haniyeh was killed in Iran while in the country for the inauguration of its new President. Both groups have accused Israel. The Israeli Government has not responded.
Haniyeh is the most senior Hamas figure killed since the group’s attack on Israel on 7 October.
About the Hamas leader killed in Iran
Haniyeh was most recently Hamas’ political leader, but had previously been the leader of Hamas in Gaza. Australia classifies Hamas as a terrorist organisation. In 2018, the U.S classified Haniyeh as a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist”.
He has maintained close ties with Iran’s leadership, who have supported Hamas with financial aid, training, and weapons since the 1990s.
In May, the ICC requested Haniyeh, alongside other Hamas and Israeli leaders, be arrested for war crimes. Haniyeh was accused by ICC prosecutors of crimes including murder, taking hostages, and sexual violence.
Since the 7 October attack, Haniyeh has been a key figure representing Hamas in its ceasefire negotiations with Israel.
