New Delhi: Ismail Haniyeh, the Chairman of Hamas’ political bureau has been assassinated in Tehran, Iranian state media announced Wednesday. Haniyeh was in Tehran to attend the inauguration of Iran’s newly elected President, Masoud Pezeshkian, Tuesday. According to a statement from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Haniyeh and his bodyguard were killed.
Haniyeh had also met the Supreme Leader of Iran, Ayatollah Khameini, Tuesday.
According to reports, Hamas has accused Israel of killing its political chief on its official Telegram channel. Haniyeh became chief of Hamas’ political wing in 2017. He also was the former Prime Minister of Palestine between 2006 and 2007.
He was designated as a terrorist by the US in 2018. He has been living outside of Gaza after departing for a “foreign tour” via the Rafah crossing to Egypt in December 2019. He has since operated out of Doha with the support of the government of Qatar.
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