The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, has elicited a range of responses from Palestinians in Gaza, reflecting a mix of anger, indifference, and concern. Haniyeh was killed in Iran, a development that has stirred various reactions amidst the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in the region.
Reda Shahyon, a 42-year-old mother from Deir al Balah, expressed a sense of detachment regarding Haniyeh’s death. She remarked that while the assassination was not unexpected, it did little to impact her given the severe hardships faced by the population. “His soul is not more precious than those of the people who are dying every day,” Shahyon said, highlighting the contrast between Haniyeh’s life and the daily struggles of ordinary Gazans.
Jumaa Shuheibar, a 36-year-old from Gaza City who lost a leg during the conflict, voiced frustration with Hamas’s leadership. Shuheibar, who is currently sheltering in central Gaza, criticized Haniyeh for being disconnected from the suffering of the people. “Hamas made the lives of Gazans more miserable,” he noted, expressing doubt about the group’s future following the loss of many of its leaders.
Conversely, Riyad al-Masri, a 30-year-old displaced to southern Gaza, expressed concern that Haniyeh’s assassination might negatively impact ongoing cease-fire negotiations. Al-Masri believed that Haniyeh, despite his controversial role, had a vision for the cause, and his absence could complicate efforts toward peace. “I was upset for Haniyeh, especially since he had a vision for leading the cause,” he said, contrasting Haniyeh with Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader in Gaza.
Ibrahim al-Khor, a 20-year-old also from Gaza City, saw a potential silver lining in Haniyeh’s death. He hoped that the assassination might signal a shift toward resolving the conflict, though he remained skeptical about the prospects for peace. “I hope Haniyeh’s death can stop the war at this time,” al-Khor said, while acknowledging the unpredictable nature of the conflict.
Overall, the reactions to Haniyeh’s death illustrate the complex and often polarized sentiments among Gazans as they navigate the ongoing crisis and its implications for their future.
