Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh Assassinated in Tehran

Context:

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in the Iranian capital, Tehran, early on July 31. The 62-year-old, 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.

Relevance:

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Takeaways from the Assassination of Hamas Chief
2. What is Hamas?
3. India’s Stand on Hamas

Takeaways from the Assassination of Hamas Chief

Ismail Haniyeh’s Assassination

• Event and Location:
  • Ismail Haniyeh, the Qatar-based public face of Hamas, was assassinated in Tehran, Iran.
  • He was in Tehran for the inauguration of the newly-elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
  • Indian Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari was also present in Tehran for the inauguration.
• Iran’s Response:
  • Iran has vowed to avenge Haniyeh’s killing.
  • This incident highlights that even Hamas leaders are not safe in Iran.
  • Earlier this year, Iran and Israel had exchanged missile and drone attacks, and this assassination could escalate hostilities further.

Impact on the Middle East

• Wider Conflict:
  • The assassination occurred hours after an Israeli strike on Beirut, Lebanon, which killed Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr.
  • This raises fears of a wider conflict in the region.

Israel’s Perspective

• Operational Success:
  • The assassination is seen as a major success for Israel, following Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023, which killed at least 1,200 Israeli civilians and military personnel, and resulted in around 250 hostages.
  • Israel has been conducting air strikes and ground operations in Gaza to target Hamas leaders.
  • Haniyeh is the highest-ranking Hamas figure killed so far, marking a significant achievement for Israel’s Operation Swords of Iron.

Hamas’s Perspective

• Major Provocation:
  • For Hamas, Haniyeh’s assassination is a significant provocation.
  • As the head of Hamas’s political bureau based in Qatar, he was involved in negotiating hostage deals and ceasefire terms.
  • Yahya Sinwar, Hamas’s military leader, was responsible for the October 7 attacks.

Pressure on Iran’s Newly Elected President

• Internal and External Pressures:
  • The assassination puts pressure on President Pezeshkian from within Iran and Hamas to avenge Haniyeh’s death.
  • Pezeshkian’s campaign focused on negotiating with the West to ease economic sanctions, but now he faces pressure from the IRGC and hardliners to respond to the assassination.

Regional Implications

• Escalation Risks:
  • The assassination could escalate tensions in West Asia, impacting the entire region.
  • Countries like Qatar, Turkey, and the Yemeni Houthis have condemned the killing, while regional powers like Saudi Arabia and the UAE are closely monitoring the situation.

India’s Position

• Cautious Approach:
  • India is cautious in responding to the assassination due to the complexity of the situation and its implications.
  • Maintaining peace and stability in the region is a priority for India, given the significant number of Indian expatriates and the region’s crucial role in India’s oil supply.

What is Hamas?

• Overview:
  • Hamas is the largest Palestinian militant Islamist group and one of the two major political parties in the Palestinian territories.
  • It currently governs the Gaza Strip, home to more than two million Palestinians.
  • The group is known for its armed resistance against Israel.
• Designation:
  • Hamas as a whole, or its military wing, is designated a terrorist organization by several countries, including Israel, the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom.
• Origins and Ideology:
  • Hamas was founded in the late 1980s during the first Palestinian intifada (uprising) against Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
  • It emerged from the Palestinian Muslim Brotherhood, reflecting a blend of nationalist and Islamist ideologies.
• Historical Context:
  • The group was created in response to a sense of failure within the Palestinian national movement, particularly after the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) recognized Israel and renounced armed struggle in favor of negotiated settlement.
  • Hamas opposed the Oslo Peace Accords signed in the early 1990s between Israel and the PLO, which contributed to its rise in prominence.

India’s Stand on Hamas

• Designation:
  • India has not officially designated Hamas as a terrorist organization.
• Diplomatic Position:
  • New Delhi does not recognize Hamas nor describe it as a terrorist group, balancing its support for the Palestinian cause with its opposition to terrorism.
  • Following the October 7 attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed solidarity with Israel without mentioning Hamas or Palestine directly.
  • India continues to advocate for a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.

-Source: Indian Express