Ismail Haniyeh, who was a major leader of the Hamas group, had a huge net worth of about $4.5 billion. He was recently killed on July 31, 2024, in Tehran, Iran, during a ceremony for the new president, Masoud Pezeshkian.
What Happened to Him?
Hamas claims that Haniyeh was killed in a surprise attack by Israel while he was at his home in Tehran. The Iranian military confirmed that Haniyeh and his bodyguards were killed. They are still investigating the attack.
Hamas has been fighting with Israel, and there have been many deaths and kidnappings because of the attacks from Gaza.
Reactions to His Death
Amihai Eliyahu, a senior official from Israel, tweeted that Haniyeh’s death makes the world a better place. He said it’s a good way to remove bad people from the world. On the other hand, Hamas official Moussa Abu Marzouk called the killing a cowardly act and said they would seek revenge.
How Did He Get So Rich?
Haniyeh was incredibly wealthy because of illegal activities. Reports say he made a lot of money through taxes on smuggled goods, building tunnels, and investing. He also made money from cryptocurrencies, which made Hamas one of the richest terror groups after ISIS.
Instead of using donation funds for helping people, Hamas kept the money for themselves. The U.S. Justice Department is currently looking into how Hamas used cryptocurrencies, and other countries are also trying to figure out how much money Hamas really has.
Living a Lavish Lifestyle
Haniyeh’s luxurious lifestyle made people think he was involved in illegal activities. Some people believe he got his wealth from family money or from oil deals in Iran. Haniyeh owned several properties, many of which were in his children’s names.
Haniyeh’s sons were often seen staying in fancy hotels in places like Qatar and Turkey. His son Maaz was known for collecting real estate in Gaza and now lives in Turkey.
Background Information
- Born: May 8, 1963, in Gaza, in the al-Shati refugee camp
- Education: He got a bachelor’s degree in Arabic literature from the Islamic University of Gaza
- Career: Haniyeh was the Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority and led Hamas in Gaza from 2006 to 2017
- Family: He had thirteen children. Three of his sons were killed in 2024. Very little information is available about his wife and other children.
Additional Details
Haniyeh’s life was marked by both his political power and his wealth. His family often enjoyed a high standard of living, with Maaz known for his real estate investments. Even after his death, the focus remains on how he accumulated his wealth and how Hamas has used its resources.
