Ismail Haniyeh, a key leader within Hamas and a prominent figure in the ongoing conflict with Israel, has been killed in Tehran, according to statements from Hamas and Iranian state media. The 62-year-old leader, who had been managing Hamas’s political operations from exile in Qatar, reportedly died in what Hamas described as an Israeli “strike” on his residence. The Israeli military has not commented on the incident so far.

Haniyeh’s death is a significant blow to Hamas, occurring at a time when tensions are already high across the Middle East due to the devastating war in Gaza. His death raises critical questions about the future of negotiations between Israel and Hamas, especially in light of the recent hostilities.

Born in a refugee camp near Gaza City, Haniyeh’s roots trace back to his parents, who were expelled from the area now known as the Israeli city of Ashkelon. He joined Hamas during the First Intifada in the late 1980s and was imprisoned multiple times by Israel for his involvement. Despite being deported, he returned to Gaza and steadily rose through the ranks of the organization.

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In 2004, following the deaths of Hamas’s previous leaders Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and Abdel Aziz Rantisi in Israeli strikes, Haniyeh was appointed to a secret “collective leadership.” His political prominence continued to grow, and after Hamas won the 2006 Palestinian Legislative Council elections, Haniyeh briefly served as Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority before being dismissed by PA President Mahmoud Abbas.

In 2017, Haniyeh took over as Hamas’s overall political leader, succeeding Khaled Meshaal. His leadership was marked by his role as a key intermediary with international mediators during various negotiations, including the stalled ceasefire and hostage talks following Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel.

Despite being named a “specially designated global terrorist” by the United States in 2018, Haniyeh continued to travel internationally, meeting with global leaders. Just a day before his death, he was seen in Tehran, meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Haniyeh’s death not only shakes Hamas’s leadership but also complicates an already volatile situation in the Middle East.

(With inputs from agencies)