Editor-DN
Hours before his assassination in Iran, Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh visited a theme park exhibit displaying ‘Axis of Resistance’ signs. He was seen with Palestinian Islamic Jihad leader Ziad al-Nakhleh.
The ‘Axis of Resistance’ is a coalition of groups led by Iran, including Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis and coalition forces in Syria and Iraq. The purpose of this alliance is to counter Western influence in the region, especially the US and Israel. The alliance seeks to counter the aggression and interference of these powers by advocating for a Middle East free from external control. Iran plays a central role in providing significant military aid, training and funding to other members.
Iranian media released a video of Hania’s visit a few hours before her death. He was seen talking to reporters.
Hours before the assassination, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh visited a theme park display of “Axis of Resistance” signs with Palestinian Islamic Jihad leader Ziad al-Nakhleh, according to video released by Iranian media. pic.twitter.com/Jk7rqTARbD
— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) 31 July 2024
The Hamas leader and one of his bodyguards were killed early Wednesday in an airstrike on the building where they were staying. On Tuesday, Haniyeh was in Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iranian President Masoud Pizshakyan.
Hamas blamed Israel for the attack. “The killing of Brother Haniyeh by the Israeli occupation is a serious escalation aimed at breaking the will of Hamas,” senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zahri said in a statement.
Israel had previously vowed to kill Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders in response to the group’s October 7 attack on southern Israel. Since then, Israel’s war on Gaza has killed approximately 39,400 people and wounded 90,923.
Earlier, Hania’s three sons Hazem, Amir and Mohammed were killed on April 10 this year when their car was hit by an Israeli airstrike. Hamas reported that Haniyeh also lost four of his grandchildren – three girls and a boy.
