Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh killed in Tehran: What's next for Iran's 'axis of resistance'?

TOI World Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Jul 31, 2024, 10:34 IST

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Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in the early hours of the morning in Iran, the Palestinian militant group Hamas said on Wednesday, describing the strike as a "severe escalation" that would not achieve its goals. Iran's Revolutionary Guards confirmed the death of Haniyeh, hours after he attended a swearing in ceremony for the country's new president, and said it was investigating.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh killed in Tehran: What's next for Iran's 'axis of resistance'?

Haniyeh, normally based in Qatar, had been the face of the Palestinian group's international diplomacy.

Ismail Haniyeh, a top Hamas leader, was killed in Tehran on Tuesday. Haniyeh, who had been leading Hamas's political operations in exile in Qatar and Turkey, was in Iran with other senior members of the "axis of resistance." This network mainly includes Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Houthis in Yemen.
Driving the news

Hamas accused Israel of being responsible for the assassination.
Israel had previously threatened to eliminate Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders in response to the group's attack on Israel on October 7, which resulted in 1,200 deaths and approximately 250 people being taken hostage.
Haniyeh had been living in exile in Qatar since 2019, having left the Gaza Strip.
Haniyeh was in Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday, along with other officials from Hamas, Hezbollah, and allied groups.
The assassination of Haniyeh follows a rare Israeli strike on Beirut, which allegedly killed Fouad Shukur, a high-ranking Hezbollah military commander.

Why it matters

As per a NYT report, the choice of Tehran as the site for the assassination was significant. Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas, has primarily resided in Qatar in recent years, a nation with which Israel has unofficial relations. Throughout the ongoing conflict, Israel has refrained from targeting Hamas leaders within Qatar's borders.
Haniyeh's death underscores the significant role and activities of Iran's "axis of resistance," a network of allied militias in the Middle East.
This coalition not only presents a formidable threat to Israel, US interests and its allies but also represents a key element in Iran's strategy to extend its influence across the region.

What they are saying

Hamas said Haniyeh was killed “in a Zionist airstrike on his residence in Tehran after he participated in the inauguration of Iran’s new president.”
“Hamas declares to the great Palestinian people and the people of the Arab and Islamic nations and all the free people of the world, brother leader Ismail Ismail Haniyeh a martyr,” the terse statement said.
In another statement, the group quoted Haniyeh as saying that the Palestinian cause has “costs” and “we are ready for these costs: martyrdom for the sake of Palestine, and for the sake of God Almighty, and for the sake of the dignity of this nation.”
Rami Khouri, a distinguished fellow at the American University of Beirut and a non-resident senior fellow at the Arab Center Washington, discussed the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh with Al Jazeera.
According to Khouri, Israel's objective in Gaza is to "destroy Hamas as a movement." However, as this goal proves to be "very difficult," they are now focusing on targeting the leaders of the organization.

What is the 'axis of resistance'?

The 'axis of resistance' is a self-proclaimed network of Iran-sponsored organizations and militias across the Middle East, aimed at expanding Iranian influence and resisting Western presence, particularly focusing on Israel. This network includes groups in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Gaza, unified by the common goals of countering Western influence and confronting Israel.

Who are the main members of the 'axis of resistance'?

The main members of the 'axis of resistance' include:
Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza.
Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Houthis (Ansarallah) in Yemen.
Various Shia militias in Iraq, such as Badr, Kataib Hezbollah, Asaib Ahl al-Haq, and Harakat al-Nujaba.
Militias in Syria supporting President Bashar al-Assad.

How powerful is the 'axis of resistance'?

The 'axis of resistance' has grown increasingly powerful over the years. The network expanded significantly under Qassem Suleimani's leadership in the late 1990s and early 2000s. For instance, Hezbollah in Lebanon possesses an arsenal of up to 150,000 rockets and maintains a significant military force. The axis has also demonstrated its capability to launch coordinated attacks and influence regional conflicts, posing a substantial threat to US interests and allies in the Middle East.

How does Iran support these groups?

Iran supports these groups through funding, training, and providing weapons. The US State Department estimated that Iran spent $700 million annually supporting militias before sanctions hit the country’s revenues in 2019. The Quds Force plays a significant role in training these groups, offering military and strategic support.

How has the 'axis of resistance' impacted recent conflicts?

Since the October 7th, 2023 assault by Hamas on Israel, the 'axis of resistance' has been active on multiple fronts. America has reported at least 55 attacks on its troops in Syria and Iraq since then, attributed to Iran and its proxies. Iran’s network has engaged in various militant actions, supporting Hamas and launching attacks that pose a clear threat to regional stability.

What are the strategic goals of the 'axis of resistance'?

The primary goals of the 'axis of resistance' include resisting Western influence in the Middle East, confronting Israel, and expanding Iranian geopolitical power. The network operates by destabilizing opposing governments and supporting allied groups that share its ideological goals.

What next

Israel has a long-standing practice of conducting secret targeted killings within Iran's borders, primarily focusing on individuals involved in the nation's nuclear development efforts.
As per a Guardian report, while the assassination of Haniyeh deals a blow to Hamas, he was not directly engaged in the organization's military activities in Gaza. Moreover, the group has demonstrated resilience in the face of previous targeted eliminations of its leadership figures, managing to persevere despite such losses.
Haniyeh's death could shift the dynamics within the 'axis of resistance'. The network, while comprising autonomous groups, still heavily relies on Iranian support for military training, funding, and strategic direction. The future of the Middle East’s stability and power dynamics will hinge on how Iran and its proxies navigate this leadership loss and the ongoing regional conflicts.

(With inputs from agencies)

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TOI World Desk

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