Hamas political leader, Ismail Haniyeh killed in Iran

Hamas political leader, Ismail Haniyeh has been killed in Tehran, Iranian state media, Press TV reported on Wednesday, citing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Haniyeh was the exiled political chief of the militant group and had spent much of his time in recent years in Qatar.

He had acted as a negotiator in the ceasefire talks and liaised with Hamas’s main ally, Iran, during the Israel-Gaza war.

A statement issued shortly after by Hamas said Haniyeh was killed alongside his bodyguard in a “Zionist raid” on his residence in Tehran after he participated in the inauguration of the new Iranian president.

CNN reports that it is not clear when Haniyeh was killed, adding that it has reached out to the Israeli military for comment on Hamas’ claim.

CityNews Nigeria recalls that Israeli airstrikes killed three of Haniyeh’s sons and four of his grandchildren in April, according to Hamas.