By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, led the funeral for Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and his bodyguard in Tehran on August 1, 2024.
The ceremony, attended by Iran’s new President Masoud Pezeshkian, saw mourners following a truck carrying the coffins towards Azadi Square, with many throwing flowers. Haniyeh’s remains will be transferred to Qatar for burial.
The assassination, blamed on Israel, occurred when an airstrike targeted a residence Haniyeh used in Tehran. This incident comes amid heightened tensions following Israel’s vow to target Hamas leaders after an October 7 attack by the group. Iran, a supporter of Hamas and other Palestinian groups, is investigating the attack. The assassination has raised fears of escalating into a broader regional conflict
