Hundreds gathered today at Qatar’s State Grand Mosque in Doha for the funeral of Ismail Haniyeh, a senior Hamas official who was assassinated earlier this week. The ceremony, which included prominent Palestinian leaders, also honored Hani’s bodyguard, who was killed alongside him.
Haniyeh, who had lived in exile in Doha, was a key figure in ceasefire negotiations between Hamas and Israel. He was believed to favor a truce more than the Hamas leadership in Gaza. His assassination has disrupted ongoing ceasefire talks and undermined the possibility of a political solution, including a two-state solution.
In response to Haniyeh’s death, Hamas called for a day of “roaring anger,” though large-scale protests did not materialize. However, symbolic funerals were held in Beirut and Istanbul, and tens of thousands marched in the Yemeni capital, Sana’a. The Turkish Embassy in Tel Aviv lowered its flag to half-mast, prompting anger from the Israeli government.
While Israel views Haniyeh as a terrorist, many in the Muslim world regard him as a resistance leader and now a martyr. His killing has ignited anger and a strong desire for revenge. Hezbollah fired missiles into northern Israel, and the Israeli military retaliated, though the border has remained relatively quiet since the assassinations.
The U.S. is actively seeking to defuse the situation. President Joe Biden expressed his concern after a direct meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging immediate action toward a ceasefire. “We have the basis for a ceasefire; he should move on it now,” Biden stated, indicating the urgency of the message delivered to Netanyahu.
The successor to Haniyeh has not yet been named, but his assassination is not the first among Hamas leaders targeted by Israel. While his death represents a short-term victory for Israel, it has also created a deeply uncertain future for the region, including the fate of hostages still held in Gaza.
The situation remains tense as the region braces for potential retaliation following the funerals.