Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas’ top political leader, was killed in Tehran during the early hours of July 31. A general strike was observed in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, while the news of Haniyeh’s death sparked widespread grief in the Gaza Strip — at a time when hope for a ceasefire ran high. Though it has not officially claimed responsibility, it is widely assumed that Israel was responsible for the killing.
For many Palestinians, Haniyeh’s assassination extinguishes any possibility of ending the war with Israel in the near term, and highlights Israel’s disregard for political and diplomatic efforts to resolve the months-long calamity. And while support for political factions, including Hamas, varies among Palestinians, there is a strong impression that Haniyeh will be widely remembered as a genuine defender of his people’s right to live in dignity. ….more
