Thousands Gather in Doha for Funeral of Slain Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh
On Friday, thousands of people gathered in Doha, Qatar, to attend the funeral prayer for the late Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was assassinated in Tehran earlier in the week. The funeral prayer was attended by various Palestinian factions, diaspora groups, diplomatic dignitaries, and nationals from multiple countries. Despite the scorching heat, mourners arrived at the mosque hours before the ceremony to pay their respects.
Haniyeh was laid to rest at the Lusail royal cemetery north of Doha. Symbolic funeral prayers were also held in other Muslim countries to honor his memory. The 62-year-old Hamas leader, who was based in Qatar, was a key figure in Palestinian politics and was known for his accessibility and humility.
People from various countries, including Palestinians, Pakistanis, Sudanese, Indians, and Bangladeshis, attended the funeral to express solidarity with the Palestinian cause. Many mourners spoke about the ongoing violence in Gaza and the impact of Israeli bombardments on civilians. Haniyeh himself had lost several family members in previous conflicts.
Haniyeh was also recognized for his role as a negotiator in ceasefire efforts and was described as a moderate and pragmatist in Palestinian politics. His assassination, along with that of Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr, is seen as a setback for peace negotiations in the region.
The killings of prominent Palestinian leaders have historically backfired, turning them into martyrs and heroes for their cause. Despite the tragic loss, mourners at Haniyeh’s funeral vow to continue the fight for Palestinian independence and freedom.
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Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
