21.2.06

Who is Ismail Haniyeh?

Haniyeh, has been one of most senior Hamas leaders in Gaza for over ten years. He served as bureau chief for Hamas head Sheikh Ahmad Yassin, but was given a higher leadership position after Yassin's death. He was arrested several times and deported to Lebanon for terrorist activities.

In 2003, Hamas took credit for a horrific bus bombing in which 23 Israelis were killed. In response, Haniyeh was placed on Israel's most wanted list. He narrowly escaped an Israeli attack as he was meeting with Yassin and other terror leaders.