How was the Hamas leader Haniyeh killed?

Ebu Masum Mücahit* 

On July 31, the ummah was overwhelmed with yet another grief amidst these difficult times. The leader of the Palestinian resistant organization, Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, won the prize of martyrdom. He had fought for his people, humanity, justice, and homeland in a courageous and honourable manner despite the fraudulent international norms set by certain states in the 21st century. The martyrdom of Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh was marked by treachery. He was in Iran to attend the inauguration ceremony of the newly elected president. His death, occurring just 150 meters from the Iranian Presidential Palace, has sparked widespread suspicions and questions regarding the circumstances of his killing.

We will not touch upon the treachery of Israel here, as these Zionist folks, who are devoid of humanity and have shown no compassion, are cursed even by Allah. Wherever they go, there is always turmoil and corruption. They are a community that has undergone two major exodus and has faced numerous genocides due to their disruptions throughout history. Their rampant behaviour is paving the way for their downfall. We know it, and so do they. But that downfall will be severe. They will face retribution many times over for the suffering they have inflicted on Palestinians and Gazans. Today, humanity is growing increasingly outraged against them. Consider this: in full view of the world, they are using advanced and banned weapons to indiscriminately kill defenceless people, as has been evident for about 300 days. Surely, they will be held accountable, whether today or tomorrow. Allah is the avenger.

On May 31, 2024, following the controversial death of the Iranian President, Iran held elections in which Mesut Pezeshkian was elected as the new President. During the inauguration ceremony on July 31, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in a secure residence of the Revolutionary Guards where he was staying. A missile was launched from a close distance, hitting only the apartment where Haniyeh was located. How could such a precise and deliberate attack occur? Did Iran’s sense of national pride not extend to protecting its guests? This brazen assassination of Haniyeh has raised serious questions and concerns.

1. Why did Ismail Haniyeh go to or get invited to Iran, a country that had failed to protect its own president?
2. Hezbollah’s leader had previously announced he would attend the ceremony; why did he not respond to the invitation? Did Iran betray Haniyeh in favour of Nasrallah, to whom it has closer ties?
3. Why were Iran’s air defence systems not operational? Were the air defence systems purchased from Russia disabled by someone?
4. Why are there allegations that information about the secret location under the protection of the Revolutionary Guards was leaked to Israel from within Iran?
5. How many Zionist agents are there within Iran?
6. Which Iran are we talking about? The Islamic Iran? The Shia Iran? The Iran under French control? Or the Iran that is fed by and enslaved to Zionism? Could the same Iran that had Reisi killed also have been behind Haniyeh’s assassination?
7. Did Netanyahu, a Zionist, obtain permission from the U.S. for the assassination during his visit to the U.S.?
8. Ismail Haniyeh was working towards peace and peace negotiations. If Haniyeh is killed, will Hamas suspend the peace talks, allowing Zionism to continue its massacre? Was the assassination carried out by the Zionist killer to achieve this?
9. Did the failing Israel carry out the assassination to demonstrate its strength for internal political reasons by showing, 'Look, I even killed their leader,' instead of signing a peace agreement?
10. Or did a handful of extremist Zionists, believing in Yusham’s prophecy, carry out this assassination in Iran to spread the war to the region and provoke a Third World War?

Leaders of Muslim-majority countries have shown that they only attend funerals and have no authority to challenge these actions because the same powers that put them in office keep them there. On December 13, 2023, Netanyahu threatened Arab leaders, telling them to stay silent if they cared about their own interests. As a result, neither the Arab leaders nor the Organization of Islamic Cooperation was able to act against Israel. They are focused on their own interests rather than justice or their people. The international community has also failed to act—what happened to the UN’s promise to maintain justice and peace?

Leaders elected through democracy were expected to uphold human rights, but they, too, have done nothing, as they, like the Arab leaders, are driven by personal gain. There are also claims that some of these leaders are involved in scandalous videos from Epstein Island. Therefore, justice cannot be expected from such a corrupted system. Zionism only understands power, and since that power is currently in the hands of the wrongdoers, it is up to Hamas to seek revenge for Haniyeh in the short term. The Al Qassam Brigades have pledged, “We will take our revenge.” We are waiting for news that will bring some relief.

As Iran has focused on its own conflicts, Palestine and Gaza have suffered the most. Iran was behind the assassination of Reisi, who had a role assigned by Zionism. Since Khomeini came to power, promising to address Sunni issues while appearing hostile towards Israel, Iran has not taken significant action against it. Although Iran has shown opposition, it has not effectively challenged Israel. Iran's role in creating discord among Islamic movements continued until Rafsanjani, who opposed global Zionism and supported the creation of the D8, was not re-elected. Reisi, diverging from his assigned role, made deals with Saudi Arabia, improved relations with Turkey, engaged with Azerbaijan, and supported Hamas. Despite this, a major country's president was traveling to a remote area by helicopter, which crashed. Even though two helicopters were nearby, there was no quick response, and it took hours to reach the crash site in a country known for challenging global norms. Global powers opposed to a reformed Iran are believed to be behind Reisi’s assassination. Meanwhile, Iran allowed the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, a fighter against Zionism, while hosting him. Sincere Muslims in Iran need to hold their local collaborators accountable. This accountability must be serious, or else the region will continue to face bloodshed and suffering.

The martyrdom of Ismail Haniyeh necessitates a re-evaluation among Muslims. Islamic movements should refrain from placing trust in any state that is a member of the United Nations, as advocated by Necmettin Erbakan. Even when in the midst of their people, leaders must be safeguarded with rigorous security measures. The ummah has historically lost figures such as Umar ibn al-Khattab and Ali ibn Abi Talib during moments of vulnerability in mosques. Cultivating a leader is no simple task; while societies may occasionally produce leaders who guide them to salvation, there are times when leaders themselves become the instruments of a society's deliverance.

Muslim communities must exert pressure on their governments to withdraw from the United Nations, which passively observed the massacre in Gaza. The Gaza incident has further clarified that certain Muslim leaders are mere servants and admirers of non-believers. It is imperative to urgently elect leaders who will safeguard the interests and rights of Muslims and work for the dignity of Islam. As sincere communities are the source of genuine leaders, it is essential to intensify outreach efforts among Muslims to increase the number of true believers within their ranks. As the oppression of tyrants reaches its zenith and the tears of the oppressed flow in torrents, the fulfilment of God's promise draws near, yet we must prepare ourselves for its arrival. Otherwise, those who stand alone against Zionism, such as Ismail Haniyeh and his children and grandchildren, may win the prize of martyrdom, while those who remain attached to worldly desires will fail this test. Muslims who fortify themselves through the Qur'an and Sunnah will be targeted by the enemies of Islam, just as Ismail Haniyeh and his descendants have been. While he will achieve victory, those of us who remain entangled in worldly attachments will ultimately be the ones who lose.

Among the believers are men who have proven true to what they pledged to Allah.1 Some of them have fulfilled their pledge ˹with their lives˺, others are waiting ˹their turn˺. They have never changed ˹their commitment˺in the least.Surat Al-Ahzab 23

As stated in the holy verse, Ismail Haniyeh has fulfilled his pledge to Allah and attained martyrdom. Martyrdom is indeed a blessed death, granting entry to paradise without reckoning. It is a noble rank, second only to that of the prophets. A martyr is one who witnesses Allah’s decree and his appointed rank while still in this world.

When Muslims embody the principles outlined in Surah At-Tawbah, verse 24, none will dare to martyr the likes of Ismail Haniyeh. We will live with the honour and dignity that Islam promises to the believers.

Say, ˹O Prophet,˺“If your parents and children and siblings and spouses and extended family and the wealth you have acquired and the trade you fear will decline and the homes you cherish—˹if all these˺are more beloved to you than Allah and His Messenger and struggling in His Way, then wait until Allah brings about His Will. Allah does not guide the rebellious people.

*Translated from Turkish to English by Zekiyenur Gök