On the first anniversary of the assassination of former Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, the group issued a statement declaring that the assassination reaffirmed the central role of resistance leaders in the struggle against Israel.
Why it matters:
Haniyeh’s assassination in Iran was a cross-border act. Hamas calls it a “turning point” to intensify resistance efforts.
The statement reinforces the group’s narrative of martyrdom as the genocide is going on in Gaza.
The big picture:
The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31, 2024, was widely condemned by Hamas and its allies, who viewed it as a violation of Iranian sovereignty and a dangerous expansion of Israel’s military reach. Hamas’s military wing described the assassination as a “cowardly Zionist operation” with “major repercussions across the region”.
What they’re saying:
Hamas: “The policy of targeting resistance figures only strengthens our commitment to the cause.”
“We will never recognize Israel, and we will continue the fight until the occupiers are expelled.”
“August 3 should be marked annually as a global day of solidarity with Gaza, Al-Aqsa, and Palestinian prisoners.”
