Ismail Haniyeh, head of the political bureau of Hamas, was laid to rest in Doha on Friday after a popular and official funeral attended by officials from Arab and Islamic countries. The funeral proceedings began with the performance of the funeral prayer led by Hamas political bureau member Khalil Al-Hayya at the Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab Mosque, the largest mosque in Doha, followed by the burial of Haniyeh and his companion Waseem Abu Shaaban in the Imam Al-Mu'assis cemetery in Lusail.
In addition to a large public attendance, the funeral was witnessed by Qatari officials including the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, former Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, along with other officials, the head of Hamas' political bureau abroad Khaled Meshaal, several members of the movement's political bureau, Islamic Jihad Secretary-General Ziad Al-Nakhala, as well as representatives from the Fatah movement led by Deputy Head Mahmoud Al-Aloul.
Notable officials from various countries also attended the funeral, including Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The Turkish Foreign Ministry, in a post on "X," stated that "Fidan extended his condolences to the interim head of Hamas' political bureau Khaled Meshaal." It was also noted that Abdesalam and Hamam, the sons of Ismail Haniyeh, attended the meeting between Fidan and Meshaal in Doha.
Before the funeral in Doha, Hamas political bureau member Ezzat Al-Risheq called in a statement via Telegram for a special prayer for Haniyeh in mosques worldwide on Friday. He added, "Let this Friday be a day of widespread anger condemning the crime of assassination and rejecting the genocide in the Gaza Strip."
Haniyeh's body had arrived in Doha on Thursday evening following large official and popular funeral ceremonies held in Iran. A prayer is scheduled for Haniyeh and his companion Waseem Abu Shaaban, who was killed in the assassination.
Haniyeh had been residing in Doha with several family members since his election as Hamas' political bureau chief in 2017, and Qatar has hosted Hamas' political bureau since 2012, after the movement closed its office in Damascus.
**Security Measures**
The Qatari authorities implemented strict measures to secure Haniyeh’s funeral. Long lines formed at Hamad International Airport in Doha since night hours to attend the funeral, according to Anadolu Agency. Some main and secondary streets in Doha were closed to traffic, with police taking stringent security measures, especially around the Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab Mosque and its vicinity. There was also a significant presence of journalists from local and international media covering the funeral proceedings.
On Thursday morning, massive crowds attended Haniyeh's funeral in Tehran, with Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei leading the funeral prayer at the University of Tehran, where mourners carried images of Haniyeh and Palestinian flags.
Tehran and Hamas announced the assassination of Haniyeh on Wednesday following an Israeli airstrike that targeted his residence in Tehran, shortly after he participated in the inauguration ceremony of the new Iranian president at Bezkeshan. However, Israel has maintained a policy of ambiguity regarding its involvement in the assassination, refraining from making any official statement or announcement regarding their role in the operation, which came just hours after the assassination of prominent Hezbollah military leader Fouad Shukr in the southern suburbs of Beirut.
Concerns are growing about the potential outbreak of a comprehensive war in light of threats from Iran and Hezbollah to respond to the killings of Haniyeh and Shukr. Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Bagheri stated that Iran is "currently consulting with the axis of resistance on how to avenge the blood of the Hamas political bureau chief." Meanwhile, The New York Times reported, citing three Iranian officials, that Khamenei ordered a direct strike against Israel. In Lebanon, Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah emphasized that Israel and its supporters should await the party's response, which "will surely come, and there is no discussion or debate about this," adding that the party is looking for "a real response and genuine opportunities for a thoroughly studied reaction."
