Ismail Haniyeh is a notoriously violent individual and has been number one on Israel's most wanted list for several years. He’s led Hamas' political branch since May 2017, and in 2019, entered into voluntary exile, residing between Turkey and Qatar. Haniyeh and his 13 children live outside Gaza where they benefit from illegal trade through tunnels into Egypt. Whatever fortune they accumulate they invest in real estate properties in Gaza and Turkey.
Haniyeh's association with Hamas dates to the mid-1990s, and his prominence within the organization grew through his initiatives during the Second Intifada, placing him at the forefront of Palestinian terror. Following democratic elections in 2006, he became the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority. However, in June 2007, amid the Fatah-Hamas conflict, President Mahmoud Abbas removed him from office. Despite this, Haniyeh continued to wield prime ministerial powers in the Gaza Strip.
Haniyeh was re-elected as the leader of Hamas in 2021 and has been classified as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) by the U.S. since 2018 due to his close links with Hamas's military wing and advocacy for armed struggle, including against civilians.
Ismail Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders are among the wealthiest war lords associated with terrorist organizations globally. Billions in annual aid that are designated for civilian welfare in Gaza are redirected to these leaders to fund their lavish lifestyles; further contributing to the disparity between leaders and citizens.
Hamas compromised Gaza's water source by repurposing pipes for rocket construction. Additionally, resources have been allocated towards constructing terror tunnels aimed at causing harm to Israelis rather than benefiting the local population. The organization is notorious for prioritizing terrorism over the well-being of its citizens.
Hamas meticulously planned and executed a series of attacks, known as Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, with the intention of provoking Israel to invade Gaza. Launched almost 50 years after the Yom Kippur War in 1973, the operation involved a rocket barrage of over 3,000 rockets, powered paraglider incursions, and breaching the Gaza–Israel barrier. The attacks resulted in the death of 859 Israeli civilians and at least 345 soldiers and policemen. Hamas took over 240 hostages, including approximately 30 children, to the Gaza Strip.
Senior Hamas figures issued a call to arms and recovered documents from terrorists revealed plans to target civilian populations and take hostages for future negotiations.
Haniyeh was the lead mastermind of the October 7th massacre against innocent Israeli civilians which resulted in the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust. In the aftermath of the October 7 attack on Israel, Haniyeh expressed confidence in a "great victory" during a speech broadcast on the Hamas-run Al-Aqsa television channel. Like many evil dictators before him, Haniyeh retains a life of luxury at the expense of the people he represents.