:Ismail Haniyeh

Ismail Abdulsalam Ahmed Haniyeh was born to a family of Muslim Palestinians in the al-Shati refugee camp of the Egyptian-occupied Gaza Strip.{{Cite web |title=Profile: Ismail Haniya, Hamas' political chief |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2017/5/9/profile-ismail-haniya-hamas-political-chief |access-date=5 June 2024 |website=Al Jazeera |date=9 May 2017 |archive-date=24 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524140336/https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2017/5/9/profile-ismail-haniya-hamas-political-chief |url-status=live }} His parents were expelled or fled from Ashkelon during the 1948 Palestine war, part of the territory where Israel was then established. In his youth, he worked in Israel to support his family.{{Cite web |date=13 January 2024 |title=Legitimacy of Israel's War on Hamas Undermined by Civilian Toll |website=Diplomacy in Ireland – The European Diplomat |url=https://diplomacyireland.eu/legitimacy-of-israels-war-on-hamas-undermined-by-civilian-toll/ |access-date=1 May 2024|archive-date=1 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240501184122/https://diplomacyireland.eu/legitimacy-of-israels-war-on-hamas-undermined-by-civilian-toll/ |url-status=live }} He attended United Nations–run schools and graduated from the Islamic University of Gaza with a degree in Arabic literature in 1987. He became involved with Hamas while at university. From 1985 to 1986, he was head of the students' council representing the Muslim Brotherhood. He played as a midfielder in the Islamic Association football team. He graduated at about the time that the First Intifada against the Israeli occupation broke out, during which he participated in protests against Israel.

Haniyeh participated in protests in the First Intifada and was given a short prison sentence by an Israeli military court. He was detained by Israel again in 1988 and imprisoned for six months. In 1989, he was imprisoned for three years.

Following his release in 1992, the Israeli military authorities of the occupied Palestinian territories exiled him to Lebanon with senior Hamas leaders Abdel-Aziz al-Rantissi, Mahmoud Zahhar, Aziz Duwaik, and 400 other activists. The activists stayed at Marj al-Zahour in southern Lebanon for over a year, where, according to BBC News, Hamas "received unprecedented media exposure and became known throughout the world". A year later, he returned to Gaza and was appointed dean of the Islamic University.

{{Campaignbox Fatah–Hamas conflict}}

After Israel released Ahmed Yassin from prison in 1997, Haniyeh was appointed to head his office. His prominence within Hamas grew due to his relationship with Yassin and he was appointed as the representative to the Palestinian Authority. His position within Hamas continued to strengthen during the Second Intifada due to his relationship with Yassin, and because of the assassinations of much of the Hamas leadership by the Israeli security forces. He was targeted by the Israel Defense Forces for his alleged involvement in attacks against Israeli citizens. Following a suicide bombing in Jerusalem in 2003, he was slightly injured on his hand by an Israeli Air Force bomb attack attempting to eliminate the Hamas leadership. In December 2005, Haniyeh was elected{{Citation needed|date=January 2009}} to head the Hamas list, which won the Legislative Council elections the following month. Haniyeh succeeded Khaled Mashaal's head leadership of Hamas in elections held in 2016.{{Cite news|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/khaled-mashaal-to-step-down-as-hamas-leader-report/|title=Khaled Mashaal to step down as Hamas leader – report|newspaper=The Times of Israel|access-date=25 June 2024|archive-date=21 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221160550/http://www.timesofisrael.com/khaled-mashaal-to-step-down-as-hamas-leader-report/|url-status=live|first=Dov |last=Lieber |date=15 June 2016}}

File:Gaza police graduation ceremony in 2012 (19).jpg

File:Numan Kurtulmuş İsmail Heniye.jpeg, 20 November 2012]]

File:25th anniversary of Hamas (25).jpg in Gaza, 8 December 2012]]

{{See also|First Haniyeh Government}}

Haniyeh was nominated as prime minister on 16 February 2006 following the Hamas "List of Change and Reform" victory on 25 January 2006. He was formally presented to president Mahmoud Abbas on 20 February and was sworn in on 29 March 2006.

Israel implemented a series of punitive measures, including economic sanctions, against the Palestinian Authority following the election. Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, announced that Israel would not transfer to the Palestinian Authority an estimated $50 million per month in tax receipts that were collected by Israel on behalf of the Palestinian Authority. Haniyeh dismissed the sanctions, stating that Hamas would neither disarm nor would it recognize Israel.

Haniyeh expressed regret that Hamas was subjected to punitive measures, adding that "it [Israel] should have responded differently to the democracy expressed by the Palestinian people".{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}

The United States demanded that $50 million in unexpended foreign aid funds for the Palestinian Authority be returned to the United States, which Palestinian Economic Minister Mazen Sonokrot agreed to do.{{cite web |url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-02/19/content_4200756.htm |title=PNA agrees to return 50-million-dollar fund to US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080419202638/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-02/19/content_4200756.htm |archive-date=19 April 2008 |website=Xinhua |date=19 February 2006}} On the loss of foreign aid from the United States and the European Union, Haniyeh commented that: "The West is always using its donations to apply pressure on the Palestinian people."{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4731058.stm |title=Hamas dismisses Israeli sanctions |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060519023427/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4731058.stm |archive-date=19 May 2006 |website=BBC |date=20 February 2006 |url-status=live |access-date=25 June 2024}}

Several months after Hamas' 2006 election victory, Haniyeh sent a letter to U.S. President George W. Bush, in which he called on the "American government to have direct negotiations with the elected government", offered a long-term truce with Israel, while accepting a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders and urged an end to the international boycott, claiming that it would "encourage violence and chaos". The U.S. government did not respond and maintained its boycott.{{cite news|title=In 2006 letter to Bush, Haniyeh offered compromise with Israel|url=http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/in-2006-letter-to-bush-haniyeh-offered-compromise-with-israel-1.257213|newspaper=Haaretz|date=14 November 2008|access-date=25 June 2024|archive-date=25 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151125215124/http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/in-2006-letter-to-bush-haniyeh-offered-compromise-with-israel-1.257213|url-status=live|first=Barak |last=Ravid}}

{{See also|Fatah–Hamas conflict}}

An agreement with Abbas was to have been reached to stop Abbas's call for new elections. On 20 October 2006, on the eve of this deal to end factional fighting between Fatah and Hamas, Haniyeh's convoy came under gunfire in Gaza and one of the cars was set on fire.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6070116.stm |title=Haniya unhurt in convoy shooting |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080308090837/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6070116.stm |archive-date=8 March 2008 |website=BBC |date=20 October 2006 |url-status=live |access-date=25 June 2024}} Haniyeh was not hurt in the attack. Hamas sources said that this was not an assassination attempt. Palestinian Authority security sources reported that the attackers were the relatives of a Fatah man killed by clashes with Hamas.{{cite web |url=http://www.haaretz.co.il/hasite/spages/777458.html |script-title=he:יועצו של הנייה: התקדמות משמעותית במשא ומתן לשחרור החייל גלעד שליט |language=he |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061023112033/http://www.haaretz.co.il/hasite/spages/777458.html |archive-date=23 October 2006 |website=Haaretz |date=20 October 2006}}

During the simmering Fatah–Hamas conflict, on 14 December 2006, Haniyeh was denied entry to Gaza from Egypt at the Rafah Border Crossing. The border crossing was closed by order of Israeli Minister of Defence Amir Peretz. Haniyeh was returning to Gaza from his first official trip abroad as prime minister. He was carrying an estimated US$30 million in cash, intended for Palestinian Authority payments. Israeli authorities later stated that they would allow Haniyeh to cross the border provided he left the money in Egypt, which would reportedly be transferred to an Arab League bank account. A gun battle between Hamas militants and the Palestinian Presidential Guard was reported at the Rafah Border Crossing in response to the incident. The EU monitors who operated the crossing were reportedly evacuated safely.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6180823.stm |title=Palestinian PM denied Gaza entry |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007024710/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6180823.stm |archive-date=7 October 2015 |website=BBC |date=14 December 2006 |url-status=live |access-date=25 June 2024}} When Haniyeh later attempted to cross the border, an exchange of gunfire left one bodyguard dead and Haniyeh's eldest son wounded. Hamas denounced the incident as an attempt by rival Fatah on Haniyeh's life, prompting firefights in the West Bank and Gaza Strip between Hamas and Fatah forces. Haniyeh was quoted as saying that he knew who the alleged perpetrators were, but declined to identify them and appealed for Palestinian unity. Egypt offered to mediate the situation.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6184951.stm |title=Egypt seeks to ease Gaza tensions |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007002903/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6184951.stm |archive-date=7 October 2015 |website=BBC |date=15 December 2006 |url-status=live |access-date=25 June 2024}}

{{main|Second Haniyeh Government}}

File:Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh meeting Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.jpg in 2012]]

Haniyeh resigned on 15 February 2007 as part of the process to form a national unity government between Hamas and Fatah.{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6366367.stm |title=Palestinian unity deal under way |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070217034010/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6366367.stm |archive-date=17 February 2007 |website=BBC |date=15 February 2007 |url-status=live |access-date=25 June 2024}} He formed a new government on 18 March 2007 as head of a new cabinet that included Fatah as well as Hamas politicians.{{Cite book|title=Palestine (West Bank and Gaza) Education System and Policy Handbook Volume 1 Strategic Information and Developments|date=3 March 2008|publisher=Lulu.com|isbn=978-1-4330-6755-6|pages=15}}

On 14 June 2007, amid the Battle of Gaza, President Mahmoud Abbas announced the dissolution of the March 2007 unity government and the declaration of a state of emergency.{{cite news|title=Abbas Dissolves Palestinian Authority Government in Wake of Hamas-Fatah War|url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,282195,00.html|date=14 June 2007|access-date=14 June 2007|work=Fox News|archive-date=16 June 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070616164426/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0%2C2933%2C282195%2C00.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|first=Charles|last=Levinson|author2=Matthew Moore|title=Abbas declares state of emergency in Gaza|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/06/14/wgaza614.xml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070618102009/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/06/14/wgaza614.xml |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 June 2007 |date=14 June 2007|access-date=14 June 2007|location=London|work=The Daily Telegraph}} Haniyeh was dismissed and Abbas ruled Gaza and the West Bank by presidential decree.

Around 2016, Haniyeh relocated from Gaza to Qatar. He maintained an office in Doha.

On 13 October 2016, the Legal Committee of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) endorsed a request for the return of Haniyeh's government to the Gaza Strip, following its resignation on 2 June 2014. The endorsement was made in response to PLC's review of a study submitted by members of Hamas' parliament, angry about perceived government failings following Haniyeh's resignation. In Hamas' own words, denouncing the consensus government's "reneging on the internal accord between Hamas and factions of the Palestine Liberation Organization to form the 2014 consensus government, and replacing several ministers with Fatah leaders – turning it into a Fatah government." Despite the PLC recommendation and Hamas' plea, both the consensus government and Fatah refused the request, citing in a press release its illegality and risk of further divisions between Hamas-controlled Gaza and the West Bank.{{Cite news|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/10/hamas-return-haniyeh-government-gaza.html|title=Hamas calls for return of Haniyeh's government|date=21 October 2016|newspaper=Al-Monitor|access-date=25 June 2024|archive-date=7 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307144557/http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/10/hamas-return-haniyeh-government-gaza.html|url-status=live |first=Ahmad |last=Abu Amer}}

As of November 2016, reports circulated regarding Haniyeh's succession of Khaled Mashaal as leader of Hamas. Mashaal, Haniyeh and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met in Qatar recently to discuss national reconciliation and the upcoming national elections.{{Cite news|url=http://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/.premium-1.749573|title=Abbas, Hamas leaders hold first talks in two years to discuss Palestinian unity|newspaper=Haaretz|access-date=25 June 2024|archive-date=5 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161205211020/http://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/.premium-1.749573|url-status=live|first=Jack|last=Khoury|date=27 October 2016}} This meeting signaled that Haniyeh had been selected over the other two likely candidates, senior Hamas member Mousa Abu Marzook and Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahhar.{{Cite web|url=http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=79808|title=Will there be changes under new Hamas and Fatah leaders?|last=Alabbasi|first=Mamoon|date=15 November 2016|website=Middle East Online|access-date=9 December 2016|archive-date=20 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220172043/http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=79808|url-status=dead}}

In 2017, Hamas changed its core policy, saying it will accept a Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders.{{cite news |title=Hamas presents new charter accepting a Palestine based on 1967 borders |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/may/01/hamas-new-charter-palestine-israel-1967-borders |work=The Guardian |date=1 May 2017}}

In 2018 he was placed on United States' list of specially designated global terrorists.{{cite web |title=State Department Terrorist Designations of Ismail Haniyeh, Harakat al-Sabireen, Liwa al-Thawra, and Harakat Sawa'd Misr (HASM) |url=https://il.usembassy.gov/state-department-terrorist-designations-ismail-haniyeh-harakat-al-sabireen-liwa-al-thawra-harakat-sawad-misr-hasm/ |website=U.S. Embassy in Israel |publisher=US Department of State |date=31 January 2018 |access-date=28 December 2023 |archive-date=14 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114093621/https://il.usembassy.gov/state-department-terrorist-designations-ismail-haniyeh-harakat-al-sabireen-liwa-al-thawra-harakat-sawad-misr-hasm/ |url-status=live }}

Haniyeh left Gaza in September to visit a series of Arab and Muslim states in preparation for his new role and officially relocated to the Qatari capital of Doha, where Mashaal has been residing.{{Cite news|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/shadowy-hamas-official-with-ties-to-iran-tapped-to-lead-gaza/#ifrndnloc|title=Shadowy Hamas official with ties to Iran tapped to lead Gaza|newspaper=The Times of Israel|access-date=25 June 2024|archive-date=29 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231029055402/https://www.timesofisrael.com/shadowy-hamas-official-with-ties-to-iran-tapped-to-lead-gaza/#ifrndnloc|url-status=live|first=Avi|last=Issacharoff |date=14 November 2016}} It is expected of the head of Hamas' politburo to live outside of the Gaza Strip.

In February 2020, Haniyeh met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan; the meeting was criticised by the U.S. State Department.{{cite news|title=US Criticizes Turkey for Hosting Hamas Leaders|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/usa_us-criticizes-turkey-hosting-hamas-leaders/6194990.html|work=Voice of America News|date=26 August 2020|access-date=25 June 2024|archive-date=26 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200826172008/https://www.voanews.com/usa/us-criticizes-turkey-hosting-hamas-leaders|url-status=live}}

In August 2020, Haniyeh called Mahmoud Abbas and rejected the normalization agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, something which Reuters called a "rare show of unity".{{cite news|title=Israel hails UAE deal but Palestinians – and settlers – dismayed|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-emirates-trump-reactions/israel-hails-uae-deal-but-palestinians-and-settlers-dismayed-idUSKCN2592R5|work=Reuters|date=13 August 2020|first=Stephen|last=Farrell|access-date=10 September 2020|archive-date=15 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201115060408/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-emirates-trump-reactions/israel-hails-uae-deal-but-palestinians-and-settlers-dismayed-idUSKCN2592R5|url-status=live}}

On 26 July 2023, Haniyeh met with Erdoğan and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Behind the meeting was Turkey's effort to reconcile Fatah with Hamas.{{cite news |title=Erdogan hosts PA's Abbas, Hamas head Haniyeh to prepare for détente talks |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/erdogan-hosts-pas-abbas-hamas-head-haniyeh-to-prepare-for-detente-talks/ |work=The Times of Israel |date=26 July 2023 |access-date=31 October 2023 |archive-date=31 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031114555/https://www.timesofisrael.com/erdogan-hosts-pas-abbas-hamas-head-haniyeh-to-prepare-for-detente-talks/ |url-status=live }}

{{main|Gaza war}}

On 7 October 2023, the day of the Hamas-led attack on Israel, Haniyeh was in Istanbul, Turkey.{{cite web |last1=Tastekin |first1=Fehim |title=Eying Gaza mediator role, Turkey cools Hamas ties, Erdogan restrains rhetoric |date=22 October 2023 |url=https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2023/10/eying-gaza-mediator-role-turkey-cools-hamas-ties-erdogan-restrains-rhetoric |publisher=Al-Monitor |access-date=15 November 2023 |archive-date=15 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115105111/https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2023/10/eying-gaza-mediator-role-turkey-cools-hamas-ties-erdogan-restrains-rhetoric |url-status=live }} Footage from his office in the Qatari capital of Doha showed Haniyeh celebrating the Hamas-led October 7 attack with other Hamas officials, before they prayed and praised God. According to the Telegraph, Haniyeh became the "public face" of the attack, publicly describing it as the start of a new era in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.{{Cite news |last1=Makoii |first1=Akhtar |last2=Confino |first2=Jotam |last3=Zagon |first3=Chanel |last4=Cleave |first4=Iona |date=31 July 2024 |title=Israel-Hamas war latest: Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/07/31/israel-hamas-war-latest-news-leader-ismail-haniyeh-killed/ |access-date=31 July 2024 |work=The Telegraph |issn=0307-1235 |archive-date=31 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240731040020/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/07/31/israel-hamas-war-latest-news-leader-ismail-haniyeh-killed/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last1=Rothwell |first1=James |last2=Shamalakh |first2=Siham |date=8 October 2023 |title=Ismael Haniyeh profile: Hamas leader who cheered Oct 7 and led ceasefire negotiations |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/10/08/hamas-leader-ismail-haniyeh-behind-attack-on-israel/ |access-date=31 July 2024 |work=The Telegraph |issn=0307-1235 |archive-date=15 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115213404/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/10/08/hamas-leader-ismail-haniyeh-behind-attack-on-israel/ |url-status=live }} Haniyeh gave a televised address in which he cited threats to Al-Aqsa mosque, the Israeli blockade of Gaza, and plight of Palestinian refugees:{{cite news|title=Israel vows 'mighty vengeance' after surprise attack|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/sirens-warning-incoming-rockets-sound-around-gaza-near-tel-aviv-2023-10-07/|access-date=30 December 2023|archive-date=8 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008133733/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/sirens-warning-incoming-rockets-sound-around-gaza-near-tel-aviv-2023-10-07/|url-status=live|work=Reuters|date=7 October 2023|first1=Maayan |last1=Lubell |first2=Nidal |last2=Al-Mughrabi |first3=Ammar |last3=Awad}} "How many times have we warned you that the Palestinian people have been living in refugee camps for 75 years, and you refuse to recognise the rights of our people?" He went on to say that Israel, "which cannot protect itself in the face of resistors", could not provide protection for other Arab countries, and that "all the normalization agreements that you signed with that entity cannot resolve this [Palestinian] conflict."{{cite web |title=Hamas leader Haniyeh: Battle 'will spread to West Bank, Jerusalem' |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2387146/middle-east |work=Arab News |date=8 October 2023 |publisher=Retuers, Associated Press |access-date=15 November 2023 |archive-date=15 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115211714/https://www.arabnews.com/node/2387146/middle-east |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Hamas leader Haniyeh says Israel can't provide protection for Arab countries |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hamas-leader-haniyeh-says-israel-cant-provide-protection-arab-countries-2023-10-07/ |work=Reuters |date=7 October 2023 |access-date=15 November 2023 |archive-date=15 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115052135/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hamas-leader-haniyeh-says-israel-cant-provide-protection-arab-countries-2023-10-07/ |url-status=live }}

{{quote box|

PCPSR opinion poll on Palestinian presidential election candidates{{cite news|title=Public Opinion Poll No (90)|publisher=Palestinian Center for POLICY and SURVEY RESEARCH|url=https://www.pcpsr.org/sites/default/files/Poll%2090%20English%20Full%20text%20Dec%202023.pdf|date=13 December 2023|access-date=30 December 2023|archive-date=29 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231229144021/http://pcpsr.org/sites/default/files/Poll%2090%20English%20Full%20text%20Dec%202023.pdf|url-status=live}}

{{ #invoke:Chart | bar-chart

| height = 200

| width = 400

| stack = 1

| group 1 = 50 : 82 : 64 : 71

| group 2 = 43 : 10 : 33 : 24

| colors = green : orange

| group names = Ismail Haniyeh: Mahmoud Abbas

| units suffix = %

| x legends = WestBank (Sep 2023): WestBank (Dec 2023) : GazaStrip (Sep 2023) : GazaStrip (Dec 2023)

}}

}}

On 10 October, Haniyeh said Hamas would not consider the release of any Israeli captives until the war was over. He claimed that the scope of Israel's retaliation was a reflection of the "resounding impact" the 7 October attack had on the country, and reiterated that the Palestinian people in Gaza had a "willingness to sacrifice all that is precious for the sake of their freedom and dignity." He added that Israel "will pay a heavy price for their crimes and terrorism [against the people of Palestine]."{{cite web |title=Haniyeh says Israeli prisoner issue won't be dealt with until war ends |url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20231011-haniyeh-says-israeli-prisoner-issue-wont-be-dealt-with-until-war-ends/ |work=Middle East Monitor |date=11 October 2023 |access-date=15 November 2023 |archive-date=15 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115215217/https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20231011-haniyeh-says-israeli-prisoner-issue-wont-be-dealt-with-until-war-ends/ |url-status=live }}

On 15 October 2023, The Times of Israel reported that Haniyeh "was politely sent away" from Turkey; Turkey officially denied these reports.{{cite news|title=Ankara officially denies booting Hamas chief over October 7 massacres |work=The Times of Israel |date=23 October 2023 |first=Lazar |last=Berman|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/ankara-officially-denies-booting-hamas-chief-over-october-7-massacres/|access-date=30 December 2023|archive-date=30 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230183705/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/ankara-officially-denies-booting-hamas-chief-over-october-7-massacres/|url-status=live}} Haniyeh later met with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in Doha.{{cite news |title=Report: Hamas chiefs were asked to leave Turkey after October 7 attacks |first=Gianluca |last=Pacchiani |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/report-hamas-chiefs-were-asked-to-leave-turkey-after-october-7-attacks/ |work=The Times of Israel |date=23 October 2023 |access-date=31 October 2023 |archive-date=31 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031104447/https://www.timesofisrael.com/report-hamas-chiefs-were-asked-to-leave-turkey-after-october-7-attacks/ |url-status=live }}

On 16 October 2023, Haniyeh and Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan discussed the possibility of releasing the hostages taken during the Hamas attack on Israel.{{cite news |title=Turkey discusses with Hamas the release of civilian hostages -foreign ministry source |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/turkey-discusses-with-hamas-release-civilian-hostages-source-2023-10-16/ |work=Reuters |date=16 October 2023 |access-date=31 October 2023 |archive-date=31 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031113156/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/turkey-discusses-with-hamas-release-civilian-hostages-source-2023-10-16/ |url-status=live }} On 21 October 2023, Haniyeh spoke with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan about the latest developments in the Gaza war and the current situation in Gaza.{{cite news |title=Turkey's Erdogan discussed Gaza with Hamas leader – Turkish presidency |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/turkeys-erdogan-discussed-gaza-with-hamas-leader-turkish-presidency-2023-10-21/ |work=Reuters |date=21 October 2023 |access-date=31 October 2023 |archive-date=31 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031113157/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/turkeys-erdogan-discussed-gaza-with-hamas-leader-turkish-presidency-2023-10-21/ |url-status=live }}

On 13 December, an opinion poll showed that Haniyeh would defeat incumbent Mahmoud Abbas by a landslide for the position of President of the State of Palestine (78% for Haniyeh and 16% for Abbas).{{cite news|title=Palestinian poll shows a rise in Hamas support and close to 90% wanting US-backed Abbas to resign|url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-palestinians-opinion-poll-wartime-views-a0baade915619cd070b5393844bc4514|access-date=30 December 2023|archive-date=31 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231115942/https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-palestinians-opinion-poll-wartime-views-a0baade915619cd070b5393844bc4514|url-status=live |work=Associated Press |date=13 December 2013 |first=Karin |last=Laub}} However, in a three-way race between Haniyeh, Abbas, and Marwan Barhgouti, Barghouti would win 47%, Haniyeh would win 43% and Abbas would win 7%. Barghouti is under solitary imprisonment by Israel.{{cite news|title=Israel Finally Reveals New Location for Marwan Barghouti|url=https://www.palestinechronicle.com/israel-finally-reveals-new-location-for-marwan-barghouti/|access-date=30 December 2023|archive-date=30 December 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230181353/https://www.palestinechronicle.com/israel-finally-reveals-new-location-for-marwan-barghouti/|url-status=live |work=The Palestine Chronicle |date=17 December 2023}}

In April 2024, Haniyeh met with Fatah's deputy head, Mahmoud Aloul, in China to discuss reconciliation. On 23 July, a further round of talks between Hamas and Fatah resulted in an agreement to form an “interim national reconciliation government” to maintain Palestinian control in the Gaza Strip after the war.

At the time of his death, he had been leading cease-fire negotiations for Hamas.{{Cite web|url=https://www.axios.com/2024/07/31/us-hamas-leader-assassination-gaza-hostage-ceasefire-deal|title=U.S. concerned Hamas leader's assassination could derail Gaza hostage-ceasefire talks|date=31 July 2024 |access-date=4 August 2024|archive-date=6 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806001927/https://www.axios.com/2024/07/31/us-hamas-leader-assassination-gaza-hostage-ceasefire-deal|url-status=live}} President Joe Biden said publicly that Israel's killing of Haniyeh, a key negotiator in the ceasefire talks, "doesn't help" efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza.{{Cite web |date=2 August 2024 |title=Killing of Hamas leader 'doesn't help' ceasefire talks, says Biden |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cql8ly2g10no |website=BBC |access-date=2 August 2024 |archive-date=2 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802151103/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cql8ly2g10no |url-status=live }}

On 20 May 2024, an arrest warrant for Haniyeh, as well as for other Palestinian and Israeli leaders, was requested by the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor Karim Khan as part of the ICC investigation in Palestine, on several counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity during the Gaza war.

Haniyeh was seen as relatively one of the more pragmatic and moderate figures in Hamas.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/obituary-tough-talking-haniyeh-was-seen-more-moderate-face-hamas-2024-07-31/|title=Tough-talking Haniyeh was seen as the more moderate face of Hamas|work=Reuters|date=31 July 2024|access-date=31 July 2024}}

In March 2002, during the Second Intifada, Haniyeh was quoted as saying, "Jews love life more than any other people, and they prefer not to die," reflecting the view that Palestinian suicide bombings had exposed Israel's greatest vulnerability after years of conflict.{{Cite book |last=Hoffman |first=Bruce |title=Inside Terrorism |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2017 |isbn=978-0-231-54489-4 |edition=3rd |series=Columbia Studies in Terrorism and Irregular Warfare |pages=164}}

In August 2006, on his first visit abroad as prime minister to Iran, Haniyeh said: "We will never recognize the usurper Zionist government and will continue our jihad-like movement until the liberation of Jerusalem".{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2006-12-08-palestinian-pm_x.htm|title=Palestinian prime minister vows not to recognize Israel|date=8 December 2006|work=USA Today|access-date=1 September 2017|archive-date=10 December 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061210030210/http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2006-12-08-palestinian-pm_x.htm?|url-status=dead}} In December 2010, Haniyeh stated at a news conference in Gaza, "We accept a Palestinian state on the borders of 1967, with Jerusalem as its capital, the release of Palestinian prisoners, and the resolution of the issue of refugees." In addition, he said that if the Palestinian electorate approves such a peace agreement with Israel, his government will abide by it notwithstanding previous Hamas positions on the issue.{{cite news|title=Hamas vows to honor Palestinian referendum on peace with Israel|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/hamas-vows-to-honor-palestinian-referendum-on-peace-with-israel-1.328234|access-date=25 June 2024|newspaper=Haaretz|date=1 December 2010|archive-date=15 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015233322/http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/hamas-vows-to-honor-palestinian-referendum-on-peace-with-israel-1.328234|url-status=live |agency=Reuters}}

On 23 March 2014, during a festival commemorating the tenth anniversary of the assassination of Sheik Ahmad Yassin, Haniyeh delivered a speech to a crowd of Hamas supporters, saying "From within Gaza, I repeat again and again: We will not recognize Israel... The Gaza blockade is unfortunately getting tighter and tighter." During this speech, the crowd chanted "Move forward Hamas, move! We are the cannon and you are the bullets. ... Oh Qassam, our beloved, bombard Tel Aviv."{{cite web |url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/03/hamas-gaza-rally-crisis-siege-anniversary-yassin.html##ixzz392Bm5WzV |title=Low turnout at Hamas rally sign of declining support? |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520114741/https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2014/03/hamas-gaza-rally-crisis-siege-anniversary-yassin.html |archive-date=20 May 2024 |first=Asmaa |last=al-Ghoul |work=Al Monitor |date=27 March 2014 |url-status=live |access-date=25 June 2024}}

On 1 November 2023, Haniyeh accused Israel of committing "barbaric massacres against unarmed civilians" after Israel conducted an attack on the Jabalia refugee camp in an operation targeting senior Hamas member Ibrahim Biari, and resolved that fighting would continue until "Palestinians obtain their 'legitimate rights to freedom, independence and return'".{{cite news |title=Hamas leader accuses Israel of 'barbaric massacres' after refugee camp hit |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/1/hamas-leader-accuses-israel-of-barbaric-massacres-after-refugee-camp-hit |work=Al Jazeera |date=1 November 2023 |access-date=6 November 2023 |archive-date=4 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231104214730/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/1/hamas-leader-accuses-israel-of-barbaric-massacres-after-refugee-camp-hit |url-status=live }}

On 2 November 2023, Haniyeh stated that if Israel agreed to a ceasefire and the opening of humanitarian corridors to bring more aid into Gaza, Hamas would be "ready for political negotiations for a two-state solution with Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine," adding that "Israeli captives are subjected to the same destruction and death as our people."{{cite news |title=Haniyeh says Hamas ready for negotiations on a two-state solution if Israel stops war on Gaza |url=https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/58/1262/511435/War-on-Gaza/War-on-Gaza/Haniyeh-says-Hamas-ready-for-negotiations-on-a-two.aspx |work=Al-Ahram |date=1 November 2023 |access-date=6 November 2023 |archive-date=20 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240320153323/https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/58/1262/511435/War-on-Gaza/War-on-Gaza/Haniyeh-says-Hamas-ready-for-negotiations-on-a-two.aspx |url-status=live }}

During the Pope Benedict XVI Islam controversy in 2006, Haniyeh strongly objected to the Pope's remarks: "In the name of the Palestinian people, we condemn the Pope's remarks on Islam. These remarks go against the truth and touch the heart of our faith." Haniyeh also denounced the Muslim attacks on churches in the West Bank and Gaza that occurred in reaction to the controversy.{{cite news |last=Fisher |first=Ian |date=16 September 2006 |title=Pope Apologizes for Uproar over His Remarks |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/17/world/europe/17cnd-pope.html?ex=1316145600&en=bd45a56d2f9e575a&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&pagewanted=print |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090423081127/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/17/world/europe/17cnd-pope.html?ex=1316145600&en=bd45a56d2f9e575a&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&pagewanted=print |archive-date=23 April 2009 |access-date=5 May 2010 |newspaper=The New York Times}}

On 2 May 2011, Osama bin Laden was killed by U.S. forces in Pakistan, and the killing was praised by Hamas's rival Fatah. Haniyeh instead referred to bin Laden as an "Arab holy warrior"{{Cite web |date=2 May 2011 |title=Bush, victims, world leaders react to bin Laden's death |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna42853022 |access-date=1 May 2024 |website=NBC News |archive-date=20 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220061613/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna42853022 |url-status=live }} and condemned his killing as "the continuation of the American oppression and shedding of blood of Muslims and Arabs".{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-binladen-palestinians-idUSTRE7414SS20110502 |title=Abbas government welcomes bin Laden death, Hamas deplores |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822153418/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-binladen-palestinians-idUSTRE7414SS20110502 |archive-date=22 August 2017 |work=Reuters |date=2 May 2011 |url-status=live |access-date=25 June 2024 |first=Nidal |last=al-Mughrabi}} Political analysts said the remarks were an attempt to cool differences in the Gaza Strip with Al-Qaeda-inspired Salafi groups, which condemn Hamas as too moderate. Another analyst wrote that Haniyeh's statement was directed at an Arab audience, and he saw an opportunity to distinguish Hamas from Fatah and exploit anti-American sentiment.{{cite news|author=Lazar Berman|title=Did Hamas Really Just Say That?|url=https://www.aei.org/foreign-and-defense-policy/terrorism/did-hamas-really-just-say-that/|access-date=2 November 2023|archive-date=2 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231102014824/https://www.aei.org/foreign-and-defense-policy/terrorism/did-hamas-really-just-say-that/|url-status=live |date=2 May 2011 |work=American Enterprise Institute}} The United States government condemned his remarks as "outrageous".{{cite web |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/us-hamas-leaders-bin-laden-remarks-outrageous--121187969/172923.html |title=US: Hamas Leader's bin Laden Remarks 'Outrageous' |first=David |last=Gollust |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120131081629/http://www.voanews.com/english/news/usa/US-Hamas-Leaders-Bin-Laden-Remarks-Outrageous--121187969.html |archive-date=31 January 2012 |work=Voice of America |date=3 May 2011 |url-status=live |access-date=25 June 2024}}

File:Qasem Soleimani funeral 2.jpg. ]]

Haniyeh was married and had 13 children,{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4543634,00.html|title=Hamas got rich as Gaza was plunged into poverty|last=Peskin|first=Doron|date=15 July 2014|work=Ynet|access-date=25 June 2024|archive-date=15 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715170021/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4543634,00.html|url-status=live}} three of whom were killed in 2024. In 2009, the family lived in Al-Shati refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip.{{cite news|title=Hamas PM Ismail Haniyeh at war with Israel – and his own rivals|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/hamas-pm-ismail-haniyeh-at-war-with-israel-and-his-own-rivals-28459936.html|newspaper=Belfast Telegraph|date=3 January 2009|first=Donald |last=Macintyre|access-date=25 June 2024|archive-date=19 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619043148/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/hamas-pm-ismail-haniyeh-at-war-with-israel-and-his-own-rivals-28459936.html|url-status=live}} In 2010, Haniyeh purchased a {{convert|2500|m2|acre|1|adj=on}} parcel of land in Rimal, a Gaza City beachfront neighborhood. Haniyeh registered the land in the name of his son-in-law. Subsequently, Haniyeh reportedly purchased additional homes and registered them under the names of his children. According to a 2014 Ynet article, Haniyeh was a millionaire, stemming from the 20% tax charged on all items entering through tunnels from Egypt to the Gaza Strip. Haniyeh's eldest son was arrested by Egyptian authorities at the Rafah Border Crossing with several million dollars, which he intended to take into Gaza.

Haniyeh's sisters, Kholidia, Laila, and Sabah, are Israeli citizens and live in the Bedouin town of Tel as-Sabi in southern Israel.{{cite news|url=https://www.news18.com/world/as-israel-arrests-ismail-haniyehs-sister-in-terror-probe-find-out-how-hamas-chiefs-siblings-live-as-israeli-citizens-8835799.html|title=As Israel Arrests Ismail Haniyeh's Sister In Terror Probe, Find Out How Hamas Chief's Siblings Live As Israeli Citizens|last=Sarkar|first=Shankhyaneel|date=April 2, 2024|work=CNN-News18|access-date=September 5, 2024}}{{cite news|title=Hamas leader's three sisters live secretly in Israel as full citizens|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/1520134/Hamas-leaders-three-sisters-live-secretly-in-Israel-as-full-citizens.html|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=2 June 2006|access-date=3 April 2018|archive-date=14 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014105336/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/1520134/Hamas-leaders-three-sisters-live-secretly-in-Israel-as-full-citizens.html|url-status=live |first=Tim |last=Butcher}} Kholodia moved to Tel as-Sabi first and then her two sisters followed. Kholidia's husband said, "Our life is normal here and we want it to continue." Laila and Sabah are both widowed but remain in Tel as-Sabi, presumably to retain their Israeli citizenship. Some of the children of the three sisters have served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), according to The Daily Telegraph.

In early 2012, Israeli authorities granted a request to travel by Haniyeh's sister, Suhila Abd el‑Salam Ahmed Haniyeh, and her critically ill husband for emergency heart treatment that could not be treated by hospitals in Gaza.{{cite news|title=Hamas PM's brother-in-law treated in Israeli hospital|url=http://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/08/08/231069.html|newspaper=Al Arabiya|date=8 August 2012|access-date=25 June 2024|archive-date=15 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215172555/https://www.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/08/08/231069.html|url-status=live}} After successful treatment at the Rabin Medical Center in Petah Tikva, Israel, the couple returned to Gaza. Haniyeh's granddaughter was treated in an Israeli hospital in November 2013 and his mother-in-law was treated in an Israeli hospital in June 2014.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-gaza-hamas-daughter-idUSKCN0I80LO20141019|title=Hamas leader's daughter received medical treatment in Israel: sources|last=Williams|first=Dan|date=19 October 2014|work=Reuters|access-date=5 July 2021|archive-date=14 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014105605/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-gaza-hamas-daughter-idUSKCN0I80LO20141019|url-status=live}} In October 2014, a few months after the 2014 Israel–Gaza War, Haniyeh's daughter spent a week in an Israeli hospital in Tel Aviv for emergency treatment after she suffered complications from a routine procedure.

In September 2016, Haniyeh left Gaza with his wife and two of his sons for the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, known as the Hajj. This trip, interpreted as a campaign commencement, bolstered reports that Haniyeh was to replace Mashaal.{{Cite news|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/the-arcane-pathway-to-hamass-top-post-and-who-might-win-it/|title=The arcane pathway to Hamas's top post, and who might win it|newspaper=The Times of Israel|access-date=25 June 2024|archive-date=21 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221160530/http://www.timesofisrael.com/the-arcane-pathway-to-hamass-top-post-and-who-might-win-it/|url-status=live|first=Avi|last=Issacharoff |date=19 September 2016}} He went to Qassim Suleimani's funeral, in Tehran, Iran in 2020.{{Cite web|date=6 January 2020|title=Hamas leader Haniyeh attends Soleimani's funeral in Iran|url=https://arab.news/5ufpt|access-date=21 May 2021|website=Arab News|publisher=Associated Press|archive-date=24 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524135423/https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=Arab_News&creatorUserId=69172612&dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-13&features=eyJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2hvcml6b25fdHdlZXRfZW1iZWRfOTU1NSI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJodGUiLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3R3ZWV0X2VtYmVkX2NsaWNrYWJpbGl0eV8xMjEwMiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJjb250cm9sIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH19&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1396806938965549058&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.arabnews.com%2Fnode%2F1609061%2Fmiddle-east&sessionId=c111e8c74474a484a6ad4566cb3eb43c252b87e7&siteScreenName=Arab_News&siteUserId=69172612&theme=light&widgetsVersion=82e1070%3A1619632193066&width=550px|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=6 January 2020|title=Hamas leader attends Soleimani's funeral in Iran|url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2020/01/06/Hamas-leader-attends-Soleimani-s-funeral-in-Iran|access-date=21 May 2021|website=Al Arabiya English|publisher=Associated Press|archive-date=24 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524135429/https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2020/01/06/Hamas-leader-attends-Soleimani-s-funeral-in-Iran|url-status=live}}

During the last few years of his life, Haniyeh lived in Qatar.{{cite web|first=Evan|last=Dyer|title=How tiny Qatar hosts the leaders of Hamas without consequences|date=18 October 2023|work=CBC News|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/qatar-hamas-israel-1.6999416|access-date=20 October 2023|archive-date=19 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231019223624/https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/qatar-hamas-israel-1.6999416|url-status=live}}{{cite news |date=2 November 2023 |last=Stein |first=Jeff |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/11/02/hamas-funding-ismail-haniyeh-us-sanctions/ |title=Far from war in Gaza, Hamas chief oversees vast financial network |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=4 November 2023 |archive-date=17 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217194737/http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/11/02/hamas-funding-ismail-haniyeh-us-sanctions/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=12 October 2023 |title=Who is Ismail Haniyeh? Senior Hamas leader who leads a lavish lifestyle in Qatar |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/who-is-ismail-haniyeh-senior-hamas-leader-who-leads-a-lavish-lifestyle-in-qatar/articleshow/104347525.cms |access-date=9 December 2023 |issn=0013-0389 |archive-date=26 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231126224425/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/who-is-ismail-haniyeh-senior-hamas-leader-who-leads-a-lavish-lifestyle-in-qatar/articleshow/104347525.cms |url-status=live }}

{{anchor|FKBI}}

More than sixty members of his extended family have been killed by Israel.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/25/world/middleeast/strike-haniyeh-hamas-gaza.html |title=Strike Kills Sister of Hamas's Political Leader |work=The New York Times |date=25 June 2024 |access-date=3 August 2024 |archive-date=3 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803125248/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/25/world/middleeast/strike-haniyeh-hamas-gaza.html |url-status=live |last1=Yazbek |first1=Hiba }}

In October 2023, fourteen members of his family were killed in an Israeli airstrike on his family home in Gaza City, among them a brother and nephew.{{cite news |title=Israel strikes Gaza home of Hamas political leader-in-exile, killing 14 |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/israel-strikes-gaza-home-of-hamas-political-leader-in-exile-killing-14/ |work=The Times of Israel |date=17 October 2023 |access-date=6 November 2023 |archive-date=6 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231106223357/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/israel-strikes-gaza-home-of-hamas-political-leader-in-exile-killing-14/ |url-status=live |first=Gianluca |last=Pacchiani}}

In November 2023, his granddaughter Roaa Haniyeh was reportedly killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City. Later that month his eldest grandson was killed in an Israeli strike.{{Cite news | url= https://www.ynetnews.com/article/b1iwnl5vp |title=Palestinian media: Ismail Haniyeh's grandson killed in IDF attack in Gaza | access-date= 25 June 2024 | archive-date= 21 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231121171937/https://www.ynetnews.com/article/b1iwnl5vp | url-status=live | work= YNet News | first=Einav | last=Halabi | date= 21 November 2023}}

On 10 April 2024, {{visible anchor | three}} of his sons—Hazem, Amir, and Muhammad— and four of his grandchildren were killed during an Israeli airstrike on their family car in the Gaza Strip.{{cite news | title= Israel-Gaza war: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh says three sons killed in air strike | url= https://www.bbc.com/news/68783840 | access-date= 1 August 2024 | work= BBC | date= 10 April 2024 | archive-date= 4 August 2024 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240804103812/https://www.bbc.com/news/68783840 | url-status= live }}{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/4/10/israels-war-on-gaza-live-israel-bombards-gaza-kills-14-in-nuseirat-camp?update=2828708|title=Israeli air attack kills 3 children, 3 grandchildren of Hamas leader Haniyeh: Report|work=Al Jazeera|date=10 April 2024|access-date=10 April 2024|archive-date=10 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240410152442/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/4/10/israels-war-on-gaza-live-israel-bombards-gaza-kills-14-in-nuseirat-camp?update=2828708|url-status=live}}{{cite web | url= https://edition.cnn.com/2024/04/10/middleeast/hamas-leader-ismail-haniyeh-sons-killed-israel-gaza-intl-hnk/index.html | title= Israeli airstrike kills three sons of Hamas political leader in Gaza as ceasefire talks stutter | work= CNN | access-date= 11 April 2024 | archive-date= 11 April 2024 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240411034522/https://edition.cnn.com/2024/04/10/middleeast/hamas-leader-ismail-haniyeh-sons-killed-israel-gaza-intl-hnk/index.html | url-status=live | first1= Jeremy | last1= Diamond | first2= Kareem | last2= Khadder | first3= Zeena | last3= Saifi | first4= Benjamin | last4= Brown | date= 11 April 2024 }} The three sons and three of the grandchildren died that day. The New Arab reported that a fifth granddaughter, named Malak, who had also been in the car, died of her injuries a week later.{{cite news | title= Granddaughter of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh dies of wounds sustained in Israeli strike that killed her father, uncles | url= https://www.newarab.com/news/haniyehs-granddaughter-dies-wounds-israeli-strike | access-date= 2 August 2024 | work= The New Arab | date= 15 April 2024 | archive-date= 1 August 2024 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240801205637/https://www.newarab.com/news/haniyehs-granddaughter-dies-wounds-israeli-strike | url-status= live }} The BBC named the four grandchildren as Mona, Amal, Khaled, and Razan. Israel claimed Haniyeh's sons were "Hamas operatives" and were "on their way to carry out terrorist activities".[https://www.idf.il/en/mini-sites/idf-press-releases-israel-at-war/april-24-press-releases/3-hamas-terrorist-operatives-sons-of-ismail-haniyeh-eliminated-in-gaza/ 3 Hamas Terrorist Operatives, Sons of Ismail Haniyeh, Eliminated in Gaza] According to Haniyeh's relatives, the family members had been traveling together to Eid al-Fitr celebrations.{{cite news|title=Hamas leader Haniyeh's three sons, four grandchildren killed in Israeli airstrike on Eid day|url=https://www.tbsnews.net/hamas-israel-war/hamas-leader-haniyehs-three-sons-four-grandchildren-killed-israeli-airstrike-eid|access-date=1 August 2024|work=The Business Standard|date=11 April 2024|language= en|archive-date=4 August 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240804105953/https://www.tbsnews.net/hamas-israel-war/hamas-leader-haniyehs-three-sons-four-grandchildren-killed-israeli-airstrike-eid|url-status= live|quote=The three sons and four grandchildren were making family visits during the first day of the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday in Shati, their home refugee camp in Gaza City, according to relatives.}} Middle East Eye released a video filmed on a mobile phone that allegedly shows one of Haniyeh's granddaughters "moments before fatal Israeli strike", excited about the festivities and yelling, "Eid has come".{{cite news | title= Video shows Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh's granddaughter moments before fatal Israeli strike | url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhCxSJIfQ30 | access-date= 1 August 2024 | work= Middle East Eye on YouTube | date= 16 May 2024 | archive-date= 1 August 2024 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240801205633/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhCxSJIfQ30 | url-status= live }}

On 25 June 2024, ten members of his family, including his 80-year-old sister Zahr Abdel Salam Haniyeh, were killed in an Israeli airstrike in al-Shati refugee camp.{{Cite web | title= Israeli airstrike kills family members of Hamas political chief | url= https://www.voanews.com/a/israeli-airstrike-kills-family-members-of-hamas-political-chief/7669126.html | access-date= 25 June 2024 | website= Voice of America | date= 25 June 2024 | archive-date= 25 June 2024 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240625092703/https://www.voanews.com/amp/israeli-airstrike-kills-family-members-of-hamas-political-chief/7669126.html | url-status= live }}{{Cite web | title= Israeli air strike kills 10 family members of Hamas chief Haniyeh in Gaza | url= https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/6/25/israeli-air-strike-kills-10-family-members-of-hamas-chief-haniyeh-in-gaza | access-date= 25 June 2024 | website= Al Jazeera | date= 25 June 2024 | archive-date= 6 August 2024 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240806001948/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/6/25/israeli-air-strike-kills-10-family-members-of-hamas-chief-haniyeh-in-gaza | url-status= live }}[https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rjcd9900uc Ismail Haniyeh's older sister killed in airstrike near Gaza City] The nine other family members killed were Nahed Haniyeh Abu Ghazi, Iman Haniyeh Umm Ghazi, Ismail Nahed Haniyeh, Muhammad Nahed Haniyeh, Moamen Nahed Haniyeh, Zahra Nahed Haniyeh, Amal Nahed Haniyeh, Shahad Nahed Haniyeh, and Sumaya Nahed Haniyeh.{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/10-relatives-of-hamas-chief-killed-in-israeli-strike-say-gaza-officials-101719322309088.html|title=10 relatives of Hamas chief killed in Israeli strike, say Gaza officials|newspaper=Hindustan Times|date=25 June 2024 |access-date=5 August 2024|archive-date=27 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627161022/https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/10-relatives-of-hamas-chief-killed-in-israeli-strike-say-gaza-officials-101719322309088.html|url-status=live}}

{{Main|Assassination of Ismail Haniyeh}}

On 31 July 2024, Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran, where he was attending the inauguration of newly elected President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian.{{Cite web |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/7/31/hamass-political-chief-ismail-haniyeh-assassinated-in-iran-state-media |title=Hamas's political chief Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran |website=Al Jazeera |date=31 July 2024 |access-date=31 July 2024 |archive-date=31 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240731034454/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/7/31/hamass-political-chief-ismail-haniyeh-assassinated-in-iran-state-media |url-status=live }} Hamas said that he was killed, along with one of his bodyguards, by a "Zionist" airstrike on a residence.{{Cite web |last=Aggarwal |first=Mithil |date=31 July 2024 |title=Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh killed in Israeli airstrike in Iran, Hamas says |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/hamas-chief-ismail-haniyeh-killed-israeli-airstrike-iran-hamas-says-rcna164425 |access-date=31 July 2024 |website=NBC |archive-date=31 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240731034620/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/hamas-chief-ismail-haniyeh-killed-israeli-airstrike-iran-hamas-says-rcna164425 |url-status=live }}{{cite web | title=Palestinian President Abbas 'strongly condemns' killing of Hamas chief Haniyeh | website=al-Arabiya | date=31 July 2024 | url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2024/07/31/palestinian-president-abbas-strongly-condemns-killing-of-hamas-chief-haniyeh | access-date=31 July 2024 | archive-date=31 July 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240731051348/https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2024/07/31/palestinian-president-abbas-strongly-condemns-killing-of-hamas-chief-haniyeh | url-status=live }} He was 62 at the time. According to The New York Times and other sources, Haniyeh was assassinated using a remotely detonated explosive device hidden in his guesthouse room two months earlier, which was triggered once he was confirmed to be inside.{{Cite news | last1=Bergman | first1=Ronen | last2=Mazzetti | first2=Mark | last3=Fassihi | first3=Farnaz | date=2024-08-01 | title=Bomb Smuggled Into Tehran Guesthouse Months Ago Killed Hamas Leader | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/01/world/middleeast/how-hamas-leader-haniyeh-killed-iran-bomb.html | access-date=2024-08-01 | work=The New York Times | language=en-US | issn=0362-4331 | archive-date=1 August 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240801133058/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/01/world/middleeast/how-hamas-leader-haniyeh-killed-iran-bomb.html | url-status=live }}{{Cite news|url=https://ara.tv/j23c7|title=هنية قتل بعبوة ناسفة كانت مزروعة داخل غرفته.. مصادر تكشف|newspaper=العربية }} The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran said that Haniyeh was killed by "a short-range projectile carrying about 7kg [15.4lb] of explosive materials" that was launched from outside the building he was staying in.{{Cite news |date=3 August 2024 |title=Haniyeh killed by 'short-range projectile' fired from outside home: IRGC residence |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/8/3/haniyeh-killed-by-short-range-projectile-fired-from-outside-home-irgc |access-date=3 August 2024 |work=Al Jazeera |archive-date=3 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803113623/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/8/3/haniyeh-killed-by-short-range-projectile-fired-from-outside-home-irgc |url-status=live }}

A funeral was held for Haniyeh in Tehran on 1 August, with Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei leading prayers. Haniyeh's remains were then taken to Qatar and buried in Lusail the following day.{{cite news |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/haniyheh-funeral-tehran-khamenei/33058880.html |title=Haniyeh Funeral Procession Under Way In Iran |date=August 1, 2024 |work=RFE/RL |access-date=1 August 2024 |archive-date=1 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240801073259/https://www.rferl.org/a/haniyheh-funeral-tehran-khamenei/33058880.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9wvwyx07m1o |title=Hamas leader Haniyeh buried in Qatar |date=2 August 2024 |work=BBC |access-date=3 August 2024 |archive-date=3 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803101458/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9wvwyx07m1o |url-status=live }}

• "Hamas: An Analysis of the Vision and Experience in Power" (book chapter) in Dr. Mohsen M. Saleh (editor), The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas): Studies of Thoughts & Experience, Al-Zaytouna Centre, 2017, pp. 469–483.

Opinion pieces in The Guardian by Ismail Haniyeh

• {{cite news |author1=Ismail Haniyeh – the new Palestinian prime minister and a Hamas leader |title=A just peace or no peace |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2006/mar/31/israel |access-date=3 August 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=30 March 2006 |language=en}}
• {{cite news |author1=Ismail Haniyeh – the Palestinian prime minister |title=1967: Our rights have to be recognised |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2007/jun/06/israel.comment |access-date=3 August 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=5 June 2007 |language=en}}

{{Notelist|

{{efn|name=DOB|

There are contradictory reports on his date of birth:

• 23 January 1962 or{{spaces}}1963
• or 8 May 1963 }}

}}

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em| refs=

{{cite news | title= Palestinian rivals Hamas and Fatah sign unity deal aimed at Gaza governance | url= https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/7/23/palestinian-rivals-hamas-and-fatah-sign-unity-deal-brokered-by-china | access-date= 4 August 2024 | work= Al Jazeera English | date= 23 July 2024 | language= en | quote= Palestinian factions have signed a “national unity” agreement aimed at maintaining Palestinian control over Gaza once Israel’s war on the enclave concludes. The deal, finalised on Tuesday in China after three days of intensive talks, lays the groundwork for an “interim national reconciliation government” to rule post-war Gaza, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The agreement was signed by long-term rivals Hamas and Fatah, as well as 12 other Palestinian groups. | archive-date= 25 July 2024 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240725225739/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/7/23/palestinian-rivals-hamas-and-fatah-sign-unity-deal-brokered-by-china | url-status= live }}

{{cite news | script-title= ar: إسماعيل هنية.. لاجئ من مخيم الشاطئ قاد حركة حماس | trans-title= Ismail Haniyeh.. A refugee from the Shati refugee camp who led the Hamas movement | url= https://aja.me/rmfonp | access-date= 4 August 2024 | work= الجزيرة نت {{!}} الموسوعة {{!}} فلسطين | publisher= Al Jazeera Net | date= 2024-07-31 | quote= ولد إسماعيل عبد السلام أحمد هنية يوم 23 يناير/كانون الثاني 1962 (أو 1963) في قطاع غزة بمخيم الشاطئ للاجئين، الذي كانت أسرته قد لجأت إليه من قرية الجورة الواقعة في قضاء مدينة عسقلان المحتلة. {{!}} Ismail Abdel Salam Ahmed Haniyeh was born on 23 January 1962 (or 1963) in the Gaza Strip, in the Shati refugee camp, where his family had fled from the village of Al-Jura, located in the occupied city of Ashkelon. | archive-date= 4 August 2024 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240804105954/https://www.aljazeera.net/encyclopedia/2011/5/9/%d8%a5%d8%b3%d9%85%d8%a7%d8%b9%d9%8a%d9%84-%d9%87%d9%86%d9%8a%d8%a9 | url-status= live }}

{{cite news | title= Profile: Hamas PM Ismail Haniya | url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4655146.stm | newspaper= BBC | date= 14 December 2006 | access-date= 25 June 2024 | archive-date= 18 December 2021 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20211218062008/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4655146.stm | url-status=live }}

{{cite web | url= https://f24.my/AVcM | trans-title= From the Beach Camp in Gaza to his assassination in Tehran... What are the most prominent political stations in Ismail Haniyeh's life? | script-title= ar: من مخيم الشاطئ في غزة إلى اغتياله بطهران... ما هي أبرز المحطات السياسية في حياة إسماعيل هنية؟ | access-date= 4 August 2024 | work= فرانس 24 / France 24 | date= 31 July 2024 |language=ar}}

{{cite news | title= Obituary | url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/aug/01/ismail-haniyeh-obituary | work= The Guardian | quote= Haniyeh is survived by his wife, Amal, with whom he had had 13 children … Ismail Abd al-Salah Ahmad Haniyeh, politician, born 8 May 1963; died 31 July 2024 }}

{{Cite web | title= Granddaughter of Hamas chief Haniyeh reportedly killed in Gaza | url= https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/granddaughter-of-hamas-chief-haniyeh-reportedly-killed-in-gaza/ | access-date= 15 November 2023 | archive-date= 16 November 2023 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20231116030756/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/granddaughter-of-hamas-chief-haniyeh-reportedly-killed-in-gaza/ | url-status=live | work= The Times of Israel | date= 10 November 2023 }}

}}

{{Commons}}

{{Wikiquote}}

• {{cite news|title=Profile: Ismail Haniya|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/archive/2006/02/20084916260799585.html|publisher=Al Jazeera|date=19 February 2006}}
• {{cite news|title=We Do Not Wish to Throw Them into the Sea|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/24/AR2006022402317_pf.html|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=26 February 2006}}
• {{cite news|title=Spiegel Interview with Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh: 'We Want Peace and Stability'|url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/spiegel-interview-with-palestinian-prime-minister-ismail-haniyeh-we-want-peace-and-stability-a-421332.html|newspaper=Der Spiegel|date=12 June 2006}}
• {{cite news|author=David Margolick|date=September 2006|title=The Most Dangerous Job in Gaza|url=http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2006/09/gaza200609|newspaper=Vanity Fair}}

{{s-start}}

{{s-off}}

{{s-bef|before=Ahmed Qurei}}

{{s-ttl|title=Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority|years=2006–2014 (in dissidence in the Gaza Strip only from June 2007)}}

{{s-aft|after=Rami Hamdallah}}

{{s-end}}

{{Hamas leaders}}

{{Hamas}}

{{Gaza war}}

{{Palestinian prime ministers}}

{{Israeli–Palestinian conflict}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Haniyeh, Ismail}}

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