On the Nose

The Killing of Ismail Haniyeh

Aug 9, 2024

In a gripping discussion, Tareq Baconi, author of 'Hamas Contained,' unpacks the shocking assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas’s leader. They delve into the motivations behind the attack and its timing amid fragile ceasefire negotiations. Public reaction to his death reveals deep divisions in Palestinian politics, raising questions about Israel’s strategies. Furthermore, the intricacies of military versus political leadership within Hamas are explored, alongside the urgent need for Palestinian unity and international involvement in the ongoing conflict.

31:51

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Ismail Haniyeh

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Quick takeaways

Haniyeh's assassination disrupts ceasefire negotiations, reflecting Israel's historical pattern of eliminating negotiating counterparts to maintain military dominance.

The killing amplifies Palestinian unity calls and the struggle for political rights, highlighting ongoing resistance against perceived injustices and colonialism.

Deep dives

Implications of Ismail Haniya's Assassination

The assassination of Ismail Haniya, a key political figure in Hamas, is seen as a deliberate act by the Israeli government to undermine any potential ceasefire negotiations. Historically, similar assassinations during the second intifada were aimed at disrupting attempts at peace, reflecting a pattern of aggression by Israeli leaders wanting to eliminate negotiating counterparts. This recent act has sparked concerns about escalating violence, as many view it as an outright declaration of war, undermining the region's stability and increasing the likelihood of prolonged conflict. The immediate reaction among Palestinians and observers is a mix of fear, grief, and a recognition that such tactics seem intended to maintain military dominance rather than pursue diplomatic solutions.

Intro

3min

Shadows of Assassination: The Haniyeh Impact

9min

Internal Dynamics of Conflict

8min

Rethinking Palestinian Unity and Resistance

6min

Struggles for Ceasefire and Power Dynamics in Palestine

5min

On July 31st, Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas’s top political leader, was killed in Iran. Haniyeh came to the capital city of Tehran for the presidential inauguration; an explosive device went off in the guest house where he was staying. Just hours before, Haniyeh had met with Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Israel hasn’t taken responsibility for the attack, but they’re widely believed to be responsible—especially given their history of targeted political assassinations. Indeed, Haniyeh’s killing followed Israel assassination of Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Lebanon one day earlier.

Haniyeh was killed in the middle of ceasefire negotiations between Hamas and Israel. With the death toll in Gaza nearing 40,000, and the family members of Israeli hostages desperately calling for a prisoner exchange, the pressure to come to an agreement has been mounting. But Haniyeh was a chief negotiator in those talks, and now, the chances of arriving at a deal seem further than ever.

Meanwhile, Iran has vowed to retaliate against Israel for the attack on their soil. As of Thursday, August 8th, that hasn’t happened yet, but many now fear that tensions could lead to a wider regional war.

In this collaboration between Unsettled Podcast and On the Nose, Unsettled producer Ilana Levinson interviews Tareq Baconi, author of Hamas Contained: The Rise and Pacification of Palestinian Resistance, to make sense of these developments and what Haniyeh’s assassination means for the future of the region.

This episode was produced by Ilana Levinson with Emily Bell. Music in this episode from Blue Dot Sessions. Thanks to Nathan Salsburg for the use of his song “VIII (All That Were Calculated Have Passed).”

Further Reading:

“Hamas Contained: The Rise and Pacification of Palestinian Resistance,” Tareq Baconi

“Hamas: Gaza (Ep 3),” Unsettled Podcast

“Tareq Baconi: ‘There’s no going back,’” Unsettled Podcast

“Regional War: An Explainer,” Alex Kane and Jonathan Shamir, Jewish Currents