Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh has been married to his wife Amal Haniyeh and the duo share 13 children together. Details about his family explored.
The Hamas leader behind the deadliest attack on Israel watched and celebrated the invasion from the safety of his Qatar office, per MailOnline.
Ismail Haniyeh was spotted with other Hamas officials cheering for joy before they prostrated themselves on the floor and praised God.
It came as the terrorist group launched the single deadliest attack ever launched against Israel – which the Jewish state has claimed is ‘our 9/11’.
Israeli media said at least 700 people were killed and 2,000 wounded in Saturday’s attack.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said as many as 1,000 Hamas fighters were involved in the assault, a high figure that underscored the extent of planning by the militant group ruling Gaza.
While we hope and pray the conflict ends sooner, many want to know more about Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh’s personal life. Here’s what we know about his wife and children.
Who is Ismail Haniyeh’s wife, Amal Haniyeh?
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh is married to his spouse, Amal Haniyeh.
Details about the couple’s love story, including how they met, where they held their wedding, and how long they’ve been together, are unknown.
However, it is believed that Ismail and Amal have been married for decades.
While Ismail Haniyeh is a successful politician, nothing is known of his spouse, Amal. Her educational background, age, family, parents, and other facts about her are not disclosed.
Besides, she has maintained a low-key profile despite the fact she is the wife of Ismail Haniyeh; therefore, nothing much has been updated about her yet on the media sources.
Ismail has also never enjoyed sharing his married life openly, which is why the details regarding Amal remains to be updated.
How many children does Ismail Haniyeh have?
Senior political leader of Hamas Ismail Haniyeh is a family man and a proud dad.
He has dozens of children, however, per reports, the alleged total number of his kids is 13.
Some of the known names of Ismail’s kids are Suhila Abd el‑Salam Ahmed Haniyeh, Sabah Haniyeh, Kholidia Haniyeh, Laila Haniyeh, Mohammad Haniyeh, A’ayed Haniyeh, Khawleh Haniyeh, Hammam Haniyeh, Amir Haniyeh, Moath Haniyeh, Bothayna Haniyeh, Wisam Haniyeh, Hazem Haniyeh and Latife Haniyeh.
Ismail and his big family have been living in the Al-Shati refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip since 2009.
Ismail is reportedly a millionaire according to a 2014 Ynet article, and he has acquired hefty properties.
When he bought a 2,500 square meters (0.6 acres) parcel of land in Rimal, he reportedly registered the land in the name of his son-in-law. Subsequently, Haniyeh reportedly purchased additional homes and registered them under the names of his children.
Haniyeh’s eldest son was arrested by Egyptian authorities at the Rafah Border Crossing with a few million dollars, which he intended to take into Gaza.
In September 2016, Haniyeh left Gaza with his wife and two of his sons for the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, known as the Hajj. This trip interpreted as a campaign commencement, bolstered reports that Haniyeh was to replace Meshaal. He went to Qassim Suleimani’s funeral, in Tehran, Iran in 2020.
Haniyeh’s granddaughter was treated in an Israeli hospital in November 2013 and his mother-in-law was treated in an Israeli hospital in June 2014. In October 2014, a few months after the 2014 Israel–Gaza War, Haniyeh’s daughter spent a week in an Israeli hospital in Tel Aviv for emergency treatment after she suffered complications from a routine procedure.
What is known about Ismail Haniyeh’s family?
Hamas leader Haniyeh was born on January 29, 1962, in the Al-Shatirefugee camp in the Egyptian-occupied Gaza Strip.
His parents whose names are undisclosed are of Palestinian Arab descent. His father worked as a fisherman, and his full name is Ismail Abdel Salam Ahmed Haniyeh.
During the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, Haniyeh’s mother and father became refugees after they fled their homes near what is now Ashkelon, Israel.
Haniyeh has four siblings: Suhila Abd El-Salam Ahmed Haniyeh, Sabah Haniyeh, Kholidia Haniyeh, and Laila Haniyeh.
Among them, Kholidia, Laila, and Sabah are Israeli citizens and currently live in the Bedouin town of Tel as-Sabi in southern Israel.
According to sources, Kholodia was the first to move to Tel as-Sabi, and later, her two sisters followed suit.
Similarly, Laila and Sabah are reportedly widowed, but they have chosen to remain in Tel as-Sabi, presumably to maintain their Israeli citizenship.
Ismail attended United Nations-run schools and graduated from the Islamic University of Gaza with a degree in Arabic literature in 1987.
While at university, he had become involved with Hamas. From 1985 to 1986, he was head of the students’ council representing the Muslim Brotherhood. He also played as a midfielder in the Islamic Association football team. He graduated at about the same time the First Intifada against the Israeli occupation started in the Gaza Strip.
In early 2012, Israeli authorities granted a request to travel by Haniyeh’s sister, Suhila Abd el‑Salam Ahmed Haniyeh, and her critically ill husband for emergency heart treatment that could not be treated by hospitals in Gaza. After successful treatment at the Rabin Medical Center in Petah Tikva, Israel, the couple returned to Gaza.