Ismail Haniyeh: timeline of Hamas’ political leader
From a refugee camp in Gaza City to billionaire exile in Qatar, a look at the life and death of the man responsible for countless murders of Israelis and Palestinians
29th January 1962: Born in Al-Shāṭiʾrefugee camp near Gaza City to Palestinian Arab parents. Educated by UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East)
1981: Enrolls in the Islamic University of Gaza and studies Arabic literature. Leads an Islamist student association affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood
1988: Founding member of Hamas; arrested later that year by Israeli authorities for taking part in the First Intifada, or uprising against Israel
1989: Arrested again by Israel
1992: Deported to Lebanon
1993: Returns to Gaza following the signing of the Oslo Accords. Appointed Dean of Islamic University
1997: Appointed personal secretary to Hamas spiritual leader, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin
2003: Survives attempted assassination attempt. Yassin assassinated a few months later
2006: Appointed prime minister of the Palestinian Authority (PA) government
2007–2014: Leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip
2017: Becomes the group’s overall political leader of Hamas, replacing Khaled Meshaal who had led Hamas in exile since 2004.
2018: Named ‘Specially Designated Global Terrorist” by the US
December 2019: Leaves Gaza Strip to live in both Turkey and Qatar
October 2022: Meets Syrian President Bashar al-Assad
October 7th 2023: Mastermind behind Hamas terror atrocities across Israel
April 2024: Three of his sons, Hazem, Amir and Mohammad and four of his grandchildren are killed by Israeli airstrikes
Wednesday 31st July 2024: Assassinated, Tehran, Iran.
Haniyeh married his cousin Amal when she was 16 years old. They had 13 children.
Keep community journalism free.
Jewish News is free for everyone. No paywall. No barriers. Just trusted journalism for anyone who wants to stay connected to Jewish life in Britain.
If you value that, please support us.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Every day, we report on the issues that matter to our community. We celebrate achievements, support charities, challenge antisemitism and ensure Jewish voices are heard more widely.
From as little as £5 a month, you can help us continue to:
- Report on the stories shaping Jewish life in the UK and beyond
- Bring our community together through shared stories, events and campaigns
- Celebrate the people, culture and moments that define our community
- Support organisations doing vital work across Jewish Britain
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular supporter. Every contribution helps keep our journalism free, independent and accessible to all.
If everyone who values Jewish News gave a small amount, it would make a real difference to our future.
