In a high-stakes operation carried out in Tehran last week, Israeli intelligence agency Mossad orchestrated the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.
While the Israeli government has yet to officially confirm their involvement, details surrounding the operation reveal a meticulously planned mission involving intricate espionage and covert tactics.
The assassination, which took place after October 7, involved a network of Mossad agents and collaborators.
The explosive device used in the attack was concealed under Haniyeh’s bed, planted by two Iranians recruited by Mossad from the Ansar al-Mahdi security unit of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)—the very personnel tasked with securing the guesthouse.
Security camera footage captured the guards moving stealthily toward Haniyeh’s room, opening the door with a key, and placing the explosive device at precisely 4:23 p.m. on the day of the attack.
The device, a flat brick explosive, was detonated remotely at 01:37 a.m. local time after Haniyeh had entered the room.
The operation was designed to minimize collateral damage. The Mossad utilized a precision bomb, which targeted only Haniyeh’s room and caused damage confined to one specific area of the building.
Haniyeh’s assassination was a complex operation that required careful planning and coordination. Following the decision to eliminate him, Mossad agents identified an opportune moment when Haniyeh was scheduled to visit Tehran for the inauguration of the new Iranian president.
Mossad, aided by intelligence unit 8200, intercepted communications about the guest list, confirming Haniyeh’s attendance and setting the plan into motion.
Agents meticulously mapped the area surrounding the guesthouse, which was perched on a hill and surrounded by dense forest, complicating observation. To overcome this, five agents disguised in green climbed the trees near the guesthouse for a clear view, while another squad observed Haniyeh’s room from a different angle to time the detonation accurately.
At 01:20 a.m., after Haniyeh had arrived and settled into his room, the Mossad operators received the signal that the room lights had been turned off. Moments later, the explosive was detonated, killing Haniyeh instantly.
His bodyguard, Wasim Abu Shaaban, was critically injured and later died from his injuries. Abu Shaaban was identified as a senior member of Hamas’ military wing, involved in past attacks against Israeli forces.
In the aftermath, Iranian security forces conducted a raid on the guesthouse, arresting 28 senior officials and seizing electronic devices for further investigation.
The discovery of IRGC involvement incited significant anger from Iranian authorities, who viewed the breach not only as a severe security failure but also a direct affront to their sovereignty.
Despite having opportunities to strike Haniyeh in Qatar, Israel avoided action there to prevent jeopardizing potential peace negotiations between Israel and Qatar.
The operation highlights the intricate web of intelligence and covert operations employed by Mossad to achieve its objectives, illustrating the high-stakes nature of international espionage and counter-terrorism.
