Who was Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas Mokawama political leader killed in Tehran?
To the little Benjamin Netanyahu : “ If you succeed to kill the one Legend Ismail Haniyeh there is over than 2 billion Ismail Haniyeh in the world that you will never succeed to kill theme. ”
Ismail Haniya is a prominent Palestinian political leader and a senior member of the Islamic Resistance Movement, commonly known as Hamas. Born in Gaza in 1963, Haniya has played a significant role in the Palestinian political landscape, particularly within the Gaza Strip. This article provides a comprehensive overview of his life, career, and political influence, highlighting key events and contributions.
Early Life and Education
Ismail Abdel Salam Ahmed Haniya was born on 29 January 1962, Al-Shati refugee camp, Gaza Strip. His family had fled from the village of Al-Jura near Ashkelon during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war, also known as the Nakba. Growing up in a refugee camp, Haniya experienced the hardships of displacement and poverty, which deeply influenced his worldview and political stance.
He pursued his early education in Gaza and later attended the Islamic University of Gaza, where he studied Arabic literature and graduated in 1987. During his time at the university, Haniya became actively involved in student politics and joined the Muslim Brotherhood, the organization from which Hamas would later emerge.
Rise in Hamas
Haniya’s involvement with Hamas began in the late 1980s. The group was founded in 1987, during the First Intifada (Palestinian uprising), as an offshoot of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood. It focused on the establishment of an Islamic state in historical Palestine and was involved in various social, educational, and military activities.
Haniya quickly rose through the ranks of Hamas, becoming a close associate of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, the spiritual leader and co-founder of the organization. His rise was marked by his role in establishing Hamas’ charitable network, which provided social services to Palestinians, gaining the movement widespread support.
Political Career and Leadership
After the assassination of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin by Israeli forces in 2004, Haniya became a key figure in Hamas’ political leadership. In 2006, he was elected Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority after Hamas won a majority in the Palestinian legislative elections. The election victory was a turning point, leading to a significant shift in Palestinian politics and a subsequent power struggle with the rival Fatah party.
The internal Palestinian conflict between Hamas and Fatah escalated into a full-scale civil war, culminating in Hamas’ takeover of the Gaza Strip in 2007. Following this, Haniya served as the de facto Prime Minister of Gaza, while Fatah maintained control over the West Bank. This division has persisted, creating a complex and often strained political landscape within Palestinian territories.
Haniya’s Political Views and Policies
Ismail Haniya is known for his hardline stance against Israel and his support for armed resistance as a means to achieve Palestinian statehood. Under his leadership, Hamas has continued to engage in both political negotiations and armed conflict with Israel, including several significant military escalations and ceasefire agreements.
Haniya has also been a vocal critic of the Oslo Accords and other peace agreements, which he views as compromising Palestinian rights and sovereignty. His tenure has seen efforts to balance governance and social services in Gaza with the realities of political and military conflict.
Recent Developments and Leadership Role
In recent years, Ismail Haniya has remained a central figure in Hamas’ leadership. In 2017, he was elected as the head of Hamas’ political bureau, succeeding Khaled Mashal. This position places him at the forefront of both internal and external Hamas policies, including relations with regional actors such as Egypt, Qatar, and Iran.
Haniya continues to advocate for Palestinian unity and has expressed willingness to participate in reconciliation talks with Fatah. However, deep divisions and external pressures have made these efforts challenging.
Conclusion
Ismail Haniya’s life and career are emblematic of the broader Palestinian struggle and the complexities of the Middle Eastern political landscape. From his early days in a refugee camp to his current leadership position in Hamas, Haniya has been a significant figure in shaping Palestinian politics. His tenure has been marked by efforts to balance governance, resistance, and diplomacy, all while navigating the challenges of leadership within a divided and occupied territory.
Bibliography
1. Hroub, Khaled. Hamas: Political Thought and Practice. Washington, D.C.: Institute for Palestine Studies, 2000.
2. Milton-Edwards, Beverley. Islamic Politics in Palestine.London: I.B. Tauris, 1996.
3. Roy, Sara. Hamas and Civil Society in Gaza: Engaging the Islamist Social Sector. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2011.
4. Mishal, Shaul, and Avraham Sela. The Palestinian Hamas: Vision, Violence, and Coexistence. New York: Columbia University Press, 2000.
5. Tamimi, Azzam. Hamas: A History from Within. Northampton: Olive Branch Press, 2007.
