By Abdul Rafay Afzal (Editor in Chief/Founder – The Advocate Post)
Who was Ismail Haniyeh?
Not only a political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, a major player in the Palestinian resistance movement, was a symbol of the Palestinian cause. Haniyeh, who was born in the Shati refugee camp in Gaza in 1962, had early years greatly influenced by the Israeli occupation. Originally from Ashkelon (previously known as Asqalan), his family was uprooted in 1948 with the founding of Israel. This uprooting prepared Haniyeh for his lifetime dedication to the Palestinian cause.
Haniyeh joined the Islamic student group, forerunner of Hamas, while a university student in 1983. He was imprisoned several times by the Israeli military for participating in demonstrations against the occupation over the 1980s. His tenacity over these years confirmed his place in the Palestinian resistance movement even more. With the start of the first Intifada in 1987, Haniyeh’s participation in the founding of Hamas signalled his start of climb inside the movement.
From Jail Cells to Leadership
Along with hundreds of other Palestinian officials and activists, Haniyeh was deported to southern Lebanon after his release from Israeli captivity. He attracted a lot of media attention here, therefore raising his worldwide reputation. Returning to Gaza in 1993 following the Oslo Accords, he was named dean of the Islamic University. His strong relationship with co-founder of Hamas Sheikh Ahmed Yassin enhanced his standing inside the movement even more.
During the second Intifada in 2001, Haniyeh’s leadership abilities became really clear. He kept ascending inside Hamas even after escaping an Israeli assassination attempt in 2003. A turning point in Palestinian politics, Haniyeh guided Hamas towards a legislative election triumph over Fatah in 2006. But his time as prime minister was brief since the West refused to cooperate with Hamas and later violent conflicts between Hamas and Fatah emerged.
Haniyeh’s Authority and Legacy
Notwithstanding these difficulties, Haniyeh founded an autonomous Hamas-led administration in Gaza and survived the Israeli embargo enforced in reaction. His open lines of communication with many groups of the Palestinian liberation movement and pragmatism helped him to establish himself as a movement uniting agent.
The United States declared Haniyeh a “terrorist” in 2018, therefore restricting travel and freezing any US-based financial assets he could have had. Haniyeh stayed a “pragmatist,” nonetheless, inside the Palestinian cause, keeping open lines of communication with several groups engaged in the liberation effort. He had resigned as Hamas head in Gaza by 2019, concentrating on spearheading group diplomatic initiatives overseas. Sadly, with continuous conflict in Gaza, three of his children and several grandkids passed away in April 2024.
Global Reaction to His Assanination
Strong reactions worldwide have been generated by Ismail Haniyeh’s murder in Tehran. Declaring that it would not break their will, Hamas denounced the murder. Israel, on the other hand, considered it as a required action to bring peace. Promising severe reprisal, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei denounced the killing.
Minutes after Iran’s Supreme Leader promised a “harsh punishment” for Israel in retaliation for assassination of Palestinian leader Ismail Haniyeh Tehran on Wednesday, a symbolic red flag was hoisted atop a major mosque in the holy city of Qom. The flag has been raised for the sixth time in Iran’s history.
While the Palestinian Authority and Islamic Jihad restated the importance of Palestinian unity, Hezbollah showed sympathy with Hamas. Reactions from throughout the world ranged from censure to worry about rising hostilities. Countries including Australia, China, Egypt, Malaysia, Qatar, Russia, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Indonesia all expressed their opinions, so stressing the convoluted geopolitical terrain around the killing of Haniyeh.
The Lasting Legacy of Haniyeh
Ismail Haniyeh left behind evidence of his relentless dedication to the Palestinian cause. He stayed strong in his conviction that hope, independence, and freedom for the Palestinian people could be attained via the blood of martyrs and the suffering of the injured. Although his murder was meant to undermine the Palestinian resistance, it has only strengthened the will of people who are still fighting for their country.
Ultimately, Haniyeh’s life and death represent the more general fight of the Palestinian people. His martyr status for Palestine will live on and motivate next generations to go on the struggle for freedom and justice.
