Ismail Haniyeh Killed by Bomb Smuggled into His Tehran Guesthouse
The New York Times, reported that the plan to assassinate Ismail Haniyeh had been in the works for several months and its successful execution is considered a significant failure by Iranian intelligence agencies and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh was killed when a bomb smuggled into a guesthouse he was staying in Tehran, Iran was detonated remotely, according to the New York Times (NYT).
The NYT, citing statements from seven Middle Eastern officials, reported that the bomb was smuggled into the guesthouse about two months ago.
The officials also mentioned that the plan to assassinate Haniyeh had been in the works for several months, and its success is seen as a significant failure for Iranian intelligence agencies and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
“How the explosives were smuggled into a building managed and tightly controlled by the IRGC raises serious questions,” one official said.
The IRGC also held secret meetings and gatherings in the building, underscoring a major intelligence failure on Iran’s part.
According to the NYT, Haniyeh frequently stayed at the guesthouse during his visits to Tehran.
He and other members of the Palestinian Political Bureau are based in Doha, Qatar.
The guesthouse, located in an area called “Neshat” in northern Tehran, is managed and secured by the IRGC, an elite Iranian military unit.
The bomb was remotely detonated as soon as Haniyeh was confirmed to be inside, killing him and his bodyguard.
The explosion shook the entire building, causing part of its external structure to collapse, Iranian officials from the IRGC told the NYT.
Both Iranian and Hamas officials claim that Israel orchestrated the bombing that killed Haniyeh, a statement supported by American security officials, according to the NYT.
So far, the Israeli government, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, has not issued any statements confirming or denying its involvement in the assassination of the senior Palestinian leader.
Previously, there had been much speculation about how Haniyeh was killed.
One theory suggested a missile strike launched by a fighter jet from outside Iranian airspace, while another proposed a missile attack from a nearby building.
Following Haniyeh’s death, Hamas announced that Khalid Meshaal would take over his position. — DSA
