3 times slain Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh proved he wasn't a 'moderate'

By Samantha Kamman, Christian Post Reporter Monday, August 05, 2024

The mother, and immediate family of Valentin (Eli) Ghnassia, 23, who was killed in a battle with Hamas militants at kibbutz Be’eeri near the Israeli border with the Gaza Strip, grieve during his funeral on October 12, 2023 at Mount Herzl Military Cemetery in Jerusalem, Israel. Israel has sealed off Gaza and launched sustained retaliatory air strikes, which have killed at least 1,200 people with more than 300,000 displaced, after a large-scale attack by Hamas. On October 7, the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel from Gaza by land, sea and air, killing over 1,200 people and wounding around 2800. Israeli soldiers and civilians have also been taken hostage by Hamas and moved into Gaza. The attack prompted a declaration of war by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the announcement of an emergency wartime government. | Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images

Celebrating Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks

On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas launched a surprise attack targeting civilian communities in southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of at least 1,200 people and the abduction of over 240 others. It was the deadliest attack Hamas has ever launched against Israel.

Footage of the onslaught recovered from Hamas body cameras and first responders shows the terror group shooting civilians on the highway, their private residences and at the Nova Music Festival, in addition to other atrocities.

In a video clip journalist Yashar Ali shared in an X post on Wednesday, Ismail Haniyeh and his fellow Hamas officials are seen watching the Oct. 7 attack from a television inside an office. Haniyeh and the officials proceeded to kneel in prayer before the television and praise God for the assault against Israel.

Reuters did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Christian Post about the video.

According to The Telegraph, the Hamas leader and officials watched the footage of the Oct. 7 massacre from Haniyeh's office in Doha. Qatar has hosted the Hamas leader in an office for years. However, the country has denied that it supports the terror group.

The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Ahmad Aal Thani, as well as his father, sat in the front row during prayers at the funeral for Haniyeh at the Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab Mosque in Doha, as The Jerusalem Post reported Friday. Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Aal Thani also attended the prayer for Haniyeh.

Participants at the ceremony waved Palestinian flags and chanted: "With spirit and blood we will redeem you, shaheed" and "Leader Ismail: we will never recognize Israel."

Samantha Kamman is a reporter for The Christian Post. She can be reached at: samantha.kamman@christianpost.com. Follow her on Twitter: @Samantha_Kamman