Assassination of Ismail Haniyeh
The killing of Hamas's political leader in Tehran, Iran, which is attributed to Israel's Mossad and has significantly heightened regional tensions.
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8/26/2025, 6:27:06 AM
entitydetail.last_updated
8/26/2025, 6:27:35 AM
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8/26/2025, 6:27:35 AM
Summary
The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, occurred on July 31, 2024, in Tehran, Iran, reportedly by an explosive device. This event, widely attributed to Israel's Mossad, has been analyzed as a demonstration of formidable intelligence capabilities. It significantly escalated tensions in the Middle East, heightening the risk of a regional war, and fueled debate regarding the effectiveness of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's military strategy in Gaza. The assassination also interrupted ongoing negotiations between Israel, the United States, Egypt, and Qatar aimed at ending the Gaza war and securing the release of Israeli hostages.
Referenced in 1 Document
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
Date
2024-07-31
Method
Explosive device covertly smuggled into guesthouse
Victim
Ismail Haniyeh
Location
Tehran, Iran
Victim's Role
Political leader of Hamas, Chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau (May 2017 - July 2024), former Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority (2006-2007)
Alleged Perpetrator
Israel's Mossad
Timeline
- Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, was assassinated along with his personal bodyguard in Tehran, Iran, by an explosive device. (Source: web_search_results)
2024-07-31
- The assassination significantly raised the risk of a regional war in the Middle East and sparked debate about the effectiveness of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's military strategy in Gaza. (Source: document_3e40895f-0cd9-4c69-9119-05058af04b2d)
2024-07-31
- The armed wing of Hamas stated the assassination would 'take the battle to new dimensions and have major repercussions'. Iran's Khamenei warned Israel of 'harsh punishment'. (Source: web_search_results)
2024-07-31
- The assassination interrupted months of negotiations involving Israel, the United States, Egypt, and Qatar over terms to end the Gaza war and free Israeli hostages. (Source: web_search_results)
2024-07-31
Web Search Results
- Assassination of Ismail Haniyeh - Wikipedia
Assassination of Ismail Haniyeh ... On 31 July 2024, Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, was assassinated along with his personal bodyguard in the
- Ismail Haniyeh - Wikipedia
a Palestinian politician who served as third chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau from May 2017 until his assassination in July 2024.
- Ismail Haniyeh | Biography, Death, Hamas, Iran, Qatar, & Facts
Ismail Haniyeh | Biography, Death, Hamas, Iran, Qatar, & Facts | Britannica **Ismail Haniyeh** (born 1962?, Al-Shāṭiʾ refugee camp, Gaza Strip—died July 31, 2024, Tehrān, Iran) was a Palestinian politician and Hamas leader who served as prime minister of the Palestinian Authority (PA) in 2006–07, after Hamas won a majority of seats in the 2006 Palestinian legislative elections. After interfactional fighting with rival Fatah led to the dissolution of the government and the establishment of an autonomous Hamas-led administration in the Gaza Strip, Haniyeh served as the leader of the de facto government in the Gaza Strip (2007–14). Hamas: Ismail HaniyehIsmail Haniyeh, a senior figure within Hamas and the former prime minister of the Palestinian Authority (March 2006–June 2007), waving to supporters at a rally for Hamas in the Gaza Strip, December 15, 2007.(more)
- How Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh Was Killed in Iran
How Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh Was Killed in Iran - The New York Times A photograph circulating on Telegram and among Iranian officials on Wednesday showed a damaged building in northern Tehran.Credit...Provided to The New York Times A photograph circulating on Telegram and among Iranian officials on Wednesday showed a damaged building in northern Tehran.Credit...Provided to The New York Times Ismail Haniyeh, a top leader of Hamas, was assassinated on Wednesday by an explosive device covertly smuggled into the Tehran guesthouse where he was staying, according to seven Middle Eastern officials, including two Iranians, and an American official. Mr. Haniyeh, who had led Hamas’s political office in Qatar, had stayed at the guesthouse several times when visiting Tehran, according to the Middle Eastern officials.
- The Life and Death of Ismail Haniyeh | Wilson Center
In a statement, the armed wing of Hamas said the assassination would “take the battle to new dimensions and have major repercussions.” Khamenei said Iran had a duty to avenge Haniyeh’s death and warned Israel of “harsh punishment.” Iran said Washington shared responsibility for Haniyeh’s killing because of its military support for Israel before and during the Gaza War. From Singapore, Secretary of State Antony Blinken denied that the United States had been either forewarned or involved in the attack. The Haniyeh assassination interrupted months of negotiations involving Israel, the United States, Egypt and Qatar over terms to end the Gaza war and free dozens of Israeli hostages held since the Hamas invasion of Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.