Thousands attend funeral service for slain Hamas leader Haniyeh in Qatar
Hanija's body was brought to Lusail, north of Doha, and buried there. Among those attending the funeral were the Vice President of Iran, Mohammed Resa Aref, and the Turkish Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan.
One of Hanija's daughters published a video of herself bending down and kissing her father's grave. "In that moment, I buried my soul underground and left. I went with all the pain of the world in my ribs," she wrote alongside the video posted on the X platform.
Turkey and Pakistan declared a day of mourning for Hanija on Friday. The radical Islamic Palestinian organization Hamas called for a "Day of Rage."
In Doha, numerous mourners attended prayer sessions at the mosque, while others prayed on carpets outside, enduring temperatures up to 44 degrees Celsius. Some attendees were dressed in traditional white attire, while others wore street clothes.
Most mourners wore scarves bearing the Palestinian flag and the pattern of a Palestinian keffiyeh, along with the English message "Free Palestine." The ceremony ended with angry slogans.
Hanija, the head of Hamas' political bureau residing in Qatar, was killed during a visit to the Iranian capital, Tehran, on Wednesday. Both Hamas and Iran blamed Israel for the killing, which Israel has not commented on.
The New York Times, citing Iranian security officials, reported that Hanija was killed by an explosive device planted in his accommodation, a guesthouse, several weeks before his stay.
Since Hanija's killing, further Iranian retaliation against Israel is expected. According to AFP, Iranian representatives met with representatives of the Iran-aligned, self-proclaimed "Axis of Resistance" in Tehran on Wednesday, discussing two scenarios: a simultaneous attack by Iran and its allies, or a staggered response from different members of the axis.
However, Israel's Defense Minister Joav Gallant emphasized the importance of forming a coalition to defend Israel against Iran and its allies during a visit by his British counterpart, John Healey, on Friday. The Israeli military chief, Herzi Halevi, stated that Israel would respond "very harshly" to any attacks.
Amid the escalating threat situation in the Middle East, US President Biden expressed concern. "I'm very concerned about it," he said on Friday (local time). Hanija's killing in Iran "has not improved the situation."
Previously, Biden assured Israel of US support "against all threats from Iran," including the Iranian proxy "terror groups" Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, according to the White House after a phone call between Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanjahu.
According to Netanjahu's security advisor, Tsachi Hanegbi, Israel would respond more harshly to another Iranian attack than it did in April. Last month, Iran directly targeted Israel from its territory for the first time with more than 300 rockets and drones.
At the request of the US and other allies, Israel had restrained its response at the time, Hanegbi said in an interview with Bild and other Springer media in Tel Aviv on Friday. But this is "a new situation". "You can hold back once, not twice," he said. This time, it won't just be about defense, but about punishing the aggressor.
Hanija's daughter's emotional video, shared on the X platform, received numerous comments expressing condolences and support for Hanija and his cause. Despite the scorching heat, the mourners in Doha remained steadfast, reflecting Hanija's resilience and dedication.
