Funeral of Hamas Leader Haniyeh Draws High-profile Mourners Amid Rising Tensions

The funeral of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, assassinated in Tehran, took place in Qatar, drawing high-profile mourners including Khaled Meshaal and Qatar's Emir. Amid the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas, both Iran and Hamas have vowed retaliation. The assassination complicates international ceasefire efforts, including those led by Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S.

The funeral of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh took place in Qatar on Friday following his assassination two days ago in Iran's capital Tehran. The killing is part of a series of targeted strikes against senior figures in the Palestinian militant group amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Mourners included Khaled Meshaal, tipped to be the new Hamas leader, other senior officials, and Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.

Haniyeh was buried in Lusail, north of Doha. His coffin, draped in the Palestinian flag, was carried through a mosque alongside his bodyguard's coffin, who was also killed in Tehran. Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri vowed retribution against Israel, accusing them of the attack.

Global reactions have been swift. U.S. President Joe Biden criticized the assassination, stating it undermines ceasefire efforts in Gaza. Qatar, leading peace initiatives along with Egypt and the U.S., condemned the act. Iran held a separate funeral for Haniyeh, where his widow, Amal, expressed her grief. Hezbollah also vowed a 'definite' response to the killing of its senior commander Fuad Shukr by Israel.