Thousands of people gathered on Friday at Doha’s grand mosque to attend the funeral prayer for Ismail Haniyeh, the assassinated political chief of Hamas. Despite the intense heat of around 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit), mourners from various Palestinian factions, diaspora groups, diplomatic dignitaries, and nationals from multiple countries came to pay their respects.
Global Mourning and Tribute
Haniyeh’s body was brought to Doha on Thursday after a memorial event in Tehran, where thousands attended and funeral prayers were led by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Symbolic funeral prayers were also held in several Muslim countries, including Yemen, Jordan, and Turkey.
Streams of mourners, many donning the traditional Palestinian keffiyeh and carrying flags, started arriving at the Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab Mosque early in the morning. Haniyeh was laid to rest at Lusail royal cemetery, north of Doha, on Friday afternoon.
The Impact of Haniyeh’s Assassination
Haniyeh was in Tehran for the inauguration of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian when he was killed in a pre-dawn attack, allegedly by Israel. This assassination has left many in grief, including 24-year-old Hassan Abu Dhr, who lost his leg and hand in an Israeli bombing and had come to Qatar for medical treatment. “Ismail Haniyeh was the pride of Gaza. We trusted him; he was the best leader for Gaza,” Abu Dhr said.
Fuad Shukr, a senior commander with the Lebanese group Hezbollah, was also killed by Israel hours before Haniyeh’s assassination. The continuous Israeli bombardment of Gaza over the past 10 months has claimed nearly 40,000 lives and caused vast destruction. This has strengthened the solidarity among the people attending the funeral, who expressed their support for Palestinians facing the ongoing conflict.
Remembering Haniyeh and His Legacy
Ismail Haniyeh was considered approachable and down-to-earth by many in Gaza. “He is a martyr and a patriot who struggled to free Palestine from Israeli occupation,” said Ziaullah, a mourner at the funeral. The outpouring of grief and support highlighted the impact of Haniyeh’s leadership and the ongoing struggles of the Palestinian people.
Hamas Considers Successor After Leader’s Assassination
In the wake of the recent assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, the Palestinian group Hamas is gearing up to choose its new political leader. Haniyeh, who had been the political chief of Hamas since 2017, was killed in a pre-dawn strike on his accommodation while visiting the Iranian capital for President Masoud Pezeshkian’s swearing-in ceremony. The attack has been blamed on Israel.
Speculation is rife regarding who will take over the leadership, especially since this decision comes almost 10 months into the ongoing Gaza conflict that erupted following Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel. According to a source within the group, “relations with Arab and Islamic countries” will play a significant role in the selection of the next leader.
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Potential Successors to Haniyeh
Khalil al-Hayya
Khalil al-Hayya, the deputy head of Hamas’s political bureau in the Gaza Strip, is one of the front-runners for the leadership position. He is well-acquainted with Yahya Sinwar, the group’s leader in Gaza, which could work in his favor.
Musa Abu Marzuk
Musa Abu Marzuk, a senior member of Hamas’s political bureau, is known for his pragmatic approach to negotiations. Having lived in the United States, Jordan, Egypt, and Qatar, Abu Marzuk brings a wealth of experience and international exposure. Despite being considered for leadership roles in the past, he has yet to succeed.
Zaher Jabarin
Zaher Jabarin, Hamas’s long-time treasurer and a close associate of Haniyeh, is another potential candidate. Jabarin was released from Israeli prisons in 2011 as part of an exchange deal for Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier held hostage for five years.
Khaled Meshaal
Khaled Meshaal, Haniyeh’s predecessor, has been living in exile since 1967, moving between Jordan, Qatar, Syria, and other countries. Meshaal rose to prominence after Israel killed Hamas’s founder Ahmed Yassin and his successor Abdelaziz al-Rantisi. He survived a poisoning assassination attempt by Mossad agents in Amman in 1997.
Yahya Sinwar
Yahya Sinwar, who was elected in February 2017 to lead Hamas in the Gaza Strip, is considered a key figure in the October 7 attack on Israel. His leadership within the territory gives him significant influence within the group.
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