The media is facing backlash for labeling Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas Chief, as “moderate” following his assassination. Haniyeh was killed in Tehran after attending the inauguration ceremony of Iran’s new President, Masoud Pezeshkian.
Reuters referred to him as “tough-talking” but “the more moderate face of Hamas,” while Sky News described him as “pragmatic.” During a televised report, Special Correspondent Alex Crawford noted that Haniyeh was seen as a “very moderate leader” for the group.
At the time of his death, Haniyeh was a key political figure in Hamas, which conducted a deadly assault on Israel on October 7, resulting in 1,200 deaths and numerous kidnappings of innocents.
Former Israeli Government spokesman Eylon Levy critiqued these media descriptions, questioning the validity of calling a leader of a group responsible for such violent acts “moderate.” He shared a clip from Sky News on social media, highlighting the dissonance in their characterization of Haniyeh.
Israeli journalist Daniel Rubenstein voiced similar concerns, mocking the notion of Haniyeh’s moderation in light of his demands for the dissolution of Israel and acceptance of Hamas’s agenda. Author Dave Rich echoed this sentiment, pointing out that if Haniyeh is deemed “moderate,” it distorts the seriousness of his anti-Israel rhetoric.
Political analysts weighed in, noting that perceptions of Haniyeh vary significantly. While deemed hard-liners by Israel and the U.S., commentators like Salem from Beirut suggested Haniyeh was more of a pragmatic politician than outright extremist.
Haniyeh has been involved in various negotiations and was known for engaging in diplomacy during conflicts, which some interpret as a sign of political moderation compared to other Hamas leaders.
His assassination has been seen as a critical escalation with significant implications for ongoing negotiations related to the war in Gaza. Observers fear the retaliatory potential from Iran and Hezbollah, particularly following simultaneous high-profile attacks on their commanders.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have maintained that their defensive strategies remain unchanged in light of these developments. Meanwhile, Iranian officials have vowed retaliation, fueling concerns of further escalation in the already tense region, where the death toll from the conflict has exceeded 39,400 according to Hamas-led authorities.