World
Global Protests Erupt Following Assassination of Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh
Global protests have erupted in response to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, sparking widespread demonstrations and heightened tensions across the Middle East. Explore the implications and reactions to this pivotal event.
In a wave of solidarity, people across Pakistan, Morocco, Mauritania, Turkey, Tunisia, Jordan, the West Bank, and beyond took to the streets on Wednesday to protest the reported assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, in Tehran, Iran. This incident sparked outrage and demonstrations worldwide.
According to reports, Haniyeh was killed early Wednesday morning in Tehran, shortly after attending the inauguration ceremony of Iran’s new president. While both Iran and Hamas have attributed his death to an Israeli operation, the specifics surrounding the incident remain shrouded in mystery. Notably, Israel has neither confirmed nor denied its involvement in the assassination.
The announcement of Haniyeh’s death followed closely on the heels of Israel’s claim that it had eliminated Fouad Shukr, a high-ranking Hezbollah commander, in a military strike targeting the suburbs of Beirut. Israeli officials stated that Shukr was responsible for the tragic deaths of 12 children during a brutal attack on a soccer field in the Druse Arab village of Majdal Shams, situated in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Although Hezbollah denied involvement in that specific incident, the group has been actively engaged in a series of retaliatory strikes against northern Israel since the outbreak of hostilities on October 7, triggered by a Hamas-led assault.
The deaths of prominent leaders from both Hamas and Hezbollah have intensified concerns among international diplomats, who fear that the region may be sliding towards a broader and more devastating conflict. These officials have been striving for months to avert such an escalation through various diplomatic channels.
Demonstrators in cities around the globe carried images of Haniyeh and waved Palestinian flags, expressing their solidarity with the fallen leader. While he is viewed as a terrorist by Israel, Haniyeh is being hailed in some regions as a martyr for the Palestinian cause. This duality highlights the complexities of international perceptions surrounding the ongoing conflict.
In Gaza, a region beleaguered by nearly ten months of persistent fighting, destruction, disease, and famine resulting from the war instigated by Hamas, reactions to Haniyeh’s death were mixed. Many expressed apathy, while others displayed anger towards the Hamas leadership, particularly since Haniyeh had been residing in Qatar during much of the conflict.
In Karachi, Pakistan, enthusiastic supporters of Haniyeh organized a procession bearing a banner inscribed with the phrases “Down With U.S.A.” and “Down With Israel,” signaling their unwavering support for Hamas and their fallen leader.