Mourners gathered in Qatars capital Doha Friday for the funeral of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh who was killed Wednesday in Tehran in an attack bl
Mourners gathered in Qatar’s capital, Doha, Friday for the funeral of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed Wednesday in Tehran in an attack blamed on Israel that has raised regional tensions and the threat of a wider Middle East conflict.
Thousands of people were in attendance for the service at the Imam Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhab Mosque, where Haniyeh’s casket and those of his bodyguards were draped in Palestinian flags. Following the service at the mosque, the caskets were taken for burial in Lusail, north of Doha.
The death of Haniyeh has triggered calls for revenge from both Iran and Hamas, both of which blame Israel for his death. Haniyeh had been in Tehran for the inauguration of Iran’s new President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Israel has not confirmed nor denied having a role in Haniyah’s death.
Hamas fighters carry mock coffins of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh and his bodyguard who was killed in an assassination in Tehran, during a symbolic funeral in Beirut, Lebanon, Aug. 2, 2024.
Haniyeh had been the Hamas political chief, and he was playing a key role in mediated talks aimed at reaching an agreement that would end nearly 10 months of war between Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip, as well as release hostages taken during Hamas’ October 7 terror attack on Israel.
The future of those talks is now in question. U.S. President Joe Biden, asked Thursday at the White House if the assassination of Haniyeh ruins the chance for a cease-fire, replied simply, « It’s not helped. » He was also asked if he believed Iran would retaliate but would not comment.
Fears of retaliation against Israel have raised tensions throughout the region.
