Hamas Leader Haniyeh Buried in Qatar

The remains of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated in Iran on Wednesday have been taken to Qatar for final burial.

Eko Hot Blog reports that the funeral prayers for Haniyeh are being held at the Imam Muhammed bin Abdul Wahhab Mosque, the largest in Qatar, followed by his burial at a cemetery in Lusail, a city north of Doha.

Prominent Hamas figures, including his predecessor Khaled Meshaal, were present at Doha airport when Haniyeh’s coffin arrived from Iran on Thursday afternoon.

Haniyeh was killed during a visit to Iran’s capital, with Iran and its allies attributing the act to Israel, though Israel has not claimed responsibility for his death.

Hamas announced that “Arab and Islamic leaders” and members of other Palestinian factions, along with the general public, would attend the ceremony.

In response to Haniyeh’s death, Turkey and Pakistan declared a day of mourning on Friday, while Hamas called for “roaring anger marches… from every mosque” after Friday prayers.

At a separate funeral in Tehran on Thursday, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, vowed that Israel would face a “harsh punishment” for the assassination.

EDITOR’S PICK:

• Arrest Those Calling For Anti-Igbo Protest In Lagos – Peter Obi Tells Tinubu
• ‘Moment To Strengthen Ties’ – UK PM Starmer Calls Tinubu
• Obey Court Order -Wike Tells protesters

Haniyeh has been based in Doha since around 2019. The Hamas political office relocated to Qatar in 2012 after its previous office in Damascus, Syria, was closed.

Haniyeh played a significant role in ceasefire negotiations, working with mediators in Qatar, where the majority of the discussions took place. The talks involved the heads of the CIA, Mossad, and intelligence services from Egypt and Qatar.

Haniyeh’s burial follows a week of escalating tensions in the Middle East, starting with the deaths of 12 children and teenagers after a rocket hit the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Israel accused Hezbollah and promised “severe” retaliation, though Hezbollah denied involvement.

Subsequently, senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr was killed by an Israeli airstrike in Beirut, which also killed four others, including two children. Shortly after, Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Iran, where he had attended the inauguration of Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, earlier that day.

Although Israel has not claimed responsibility for Haniyeh’s assassination, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned that Israel had delivered “crushing blows” to Iran’s proxy groups recently.

CLICK TO WATCH OUR VIDEO OF THE WEEK