Introduction
The recent escalation in the Gaza conflict has led to a series of significant developments, particularly concerning the fate of key Hamas leaders. Since Hamas’s unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, a number of its high-profile figures have been targeted, allegedly by Israeli forces. This comprehensive overview provides detailed insights into what has happened to some of the most prominent leaders of Hamas, exploring their backgrounds, roles within the organization, and the circumstances surrounding their recent fates.
Ismail Haniyeh: The Assassinated Leader
Background and Rise to Power
Ismail Haniyeh was widely regarded as one of Hamas’s most prominent leaders. His involvement with the organization began in the late 1980s when Hamas was still in its formative stages. Haniyeh’s early career was marked by his imprisonment by Israel in 1989 for three years, during which he was targeted as part of Israel’s crackdown on the first Palestinian uprising.
After his release, Haniyeh was exiled in 1992 to a no-man’s-land between Israel and Lebanon along with other Hamas leaders. His return to Gaza in 1993 marked the beginning of his rise within the organization. By 1997, he was appointed head of the office of Hamas’s spiritual leader, which further consolidated his position within the group.
In 2006, Haniyeh was appointed as the Palestinian Prime Minister by President Mahmoud Abbas, following Hamas’s victory in national elections. However, his tenure was cut short when he was dismissed amid violent conflicts in Gaza. Despite his dismissal, Haniyeh continued to lead Hamas in Gaza, rejecting the dismissal as “unconstitutional.”
His leadership role was solidified in 2017 when he was elected head of Hamas’s political bureau, effectively becoming the organization’s overall leader. In 2018, the U.S. Department of State designated Haniyeh as a terrorist. In recent years, he had been residing in Qatar.
Assassination in Tehran
On July 31, 2024, Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran during a visit. The attack reportedly involved an aerial strike targeting a building where he was staying. Both Iran and Hamas have attributed the strike to Israel, although Israel has not publicly acknowledged responsibility. The assassination occurred during a period of heightened tensions and was seen as a direct challenge to Iran, which had been hosting Haniyeh as a prominent guest.
Yahya Sinwar: The Gaza Strip Leader
Early Life and Hamas Involvement
Yahya Sinwar is a significant figure within Hamas, known for his leadership in the Gaza Strip. Born in the Khan Younis refugee camp in 1962, Sinwar’s involvement with Hamas began shortly after the organization’s founding in 1987. He was instrumental in establishing Hamas’s internal security service, which targeted alleged Palestinian collaborators with Israel.
Sinwar’s criminal record includes several arrests by Israel. In 1988, he was sentenced to four life terms for planning the abduction and murder of two Israeli soldiers, as well as the murder of four Palestinians. Despite his imprisonment, he was released in 2011 as part of a prisoner exchange deal between Israel and Hamas.
Upon his release, Sinwar resumed his role within Hamas and was appointed head of the group’s political bureau in Gaza in 2017. The U.S. included him on its blacklist of “international terrorists” in 2015. Since the onset of the war with Israel in October 2023, Sinwar has been out of sight, with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken suggesting he may be hiding deep underground in Gaza.
Mohammed Deif: The Elusive Military Chief
Background and Activities
Mohammed Deif was the head of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military arm of Hamas. Known for his elusive nature and extensive history of conflict with Israel, Deif became a prominent figure in the organization. His early involvement in Hamas included planning and executing attacks against Israeli targets, including bus bombings in 1996.
Deif’s life was marked by numerous assassination attempts by Israel. In 2002, an attempt left him severely injured, losing an eye and, reportedly, a foot and a hand. Despite these setbacks, Deif remained a key figure within Hamas, continuing to orchestrate operations against Israel.
In July 2024, Israel claimed to have killed Deif in an airstrike on a compound in Khan Younis. Hamas has not confirmed his death, but the Israeli assertion aligns with ongoing attempts to neutralize key Hamas leaders.
Marwan Issa: The Deputy Commander
Profile and Recent Reports
Marwan Issa, also known as the deputy commander-in-chief of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, has been another prominent target in the ongoing conflict. Known as the “Shadow Man,” Issa was believed to be a close associate of Mohammed Deif. His role within Hamas included significant involvement in planning military operations and incursions into Israel.
Reports of Issa’s death emerged in March 2024, with the White House attributing it to an Israeli airstrike on a tunnel complex under the Nuseirat refugee camp. Issa was already on Israel’s most wanted list and had previously been targeted in failed assassination attempts.
Khaled Meshaal: The Founding Figure
Historical Context and Assassination Attempt
Khaled Meshaal, born in 1956 in the West Bank, is considered one of the founding figures of Hamas. His leadership was marked by a significant assassination attempt in 1997 when Israeli agents attempted to kill him in Jordan using a toxic substance. The attempt was thwarted by Jordanian authorities, and the late King Hussein of Jordan intervened to secure an antidote for Meshaal.
Living in Qatar in recent years, Meshaal was succeeded by Ismail Haniyeh as the head of Hamas’s political bureau in 2017. Meshaal’s role has been more symbolic in recent years, focusing on international advocacy and diplomacy.
Mahmoud Zahar: The Veteran Leader
Background and Attacks
Mahmoud Zahar, born in Gaza in 1945, is a veteran member of Hamas’s leadership. His early involvement in the organization included being held in Israeli prisons and later being deported to no-man’s-land in 1992. Zahar was a key figure in Hamas’s political and diplomatic efforts, including his role in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Zahar has been the target of multiple assassination attempts, including a significant attack in 2003 that resulted in the death of his eldest son. His second son was also killed in an Israeli airstrike in 2008. Despite these personal losses, Zahar remains a prominent figure within Hamas.
Conclusion
The fates of Hamas’s prominent leaders illustrate the intense and ongoing nature of the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Each leader’s story is intertwined with the broader narrative of the struggle in Gaza, reflecting the complex and often violent history of the region. As the conflict continues, the actions and responses of these key figures will likely play a crucial role in shaping the future dynamics of the conflict.
For more updates and detailed analysis on the ongoing conflict, visit our Israel-Gaza War section.
