Ismail Haniyeh, the senior political leader of Hamas, is a millionaire and has an impressive fortune. His net worth and how he makes his money explored.
The Hamas leader behind the deadliest attack on Israel watched and celebrated the invasion from the safety of his Qatar office, per MailOnline.
Per the publication, 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 the world hopes and prays the conflict ends sooner, many want to know more about the Hamas leader’s finances, like how much he is worth and how he makes his money. Read on for more.
Profile Summary
| Celebrated Name: | Ismail Haniyeh |
| Net Worth: | $5 million |
| Profession: | Politician |
| Full Real Name: | Ismail Abdel Salam Ahmed Haniyeh |
| Date of Birth: | January 29, 1962 (age 61 years) |
| Birthplace: | Al-Shati Camp, Gaza |
Who is Ismail Haniyeh?
Ismail Haniyeh holds a prominent position in Palestinian politics, serving as a senior leader within Hamas.
He was a controversial figure as he assumed the role of Prime Minister in the Palestinian National Authority.
His journey to becoming Prime Minister began when he won the Palestinian legislative elections in 2006, marking a significant milestone in his political career.
Additionally, during the First Intifada, Ismail actively participated in protests, leading to a brief prison sentence imposed by an Israeli military court.
In 1998, he faced a six-month imprisonment, and the following year, he was incarcerated for three years.
Despite these challenges, Haniyeh has managed to establish a successful and enduring political career, remaining actively engaged in politics throughout his professional life.
What is Ismail Haniyeh’s net worth?
For his long years of being a politician, the Hamas leader has accumulated an impressive fortune.
Ismail is reportedly a millionaire according to a 2014 Ynet article. Although his exact net worth is unknown, he has an estimated current net worth of at least $5 million.
He accrued the majority of his fortune from his work as a politician. The source adds that his millionaire status is a result of the 20% tax charged on all items entering through tunnels from Egypt to the Gaza Strip.
Due to his wealth, he has acquired hefty properties. In 2010, Haniyeh purchased a 2,500 square meters (0.6 acres) parcel of land in Rimal, a Gaza City beachfront neighborhood. Haniyeh 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.
Hamas leader Haniyeh says Israel can’t provide protection for Arab countries
Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, told fellow Arab countries on Saturday that Israel cannot provide them with any protection despite recent diplomatic rapprochements, Reuter reports.
Hamas launched the biggest attack on Israel in years on Saturday, killing dozens of people and taking hostages in a surprise assault that combined gunmen crossing into Israel with a barrage of rockets fired from the Gaza Strip.
Israel said the Iran-backed group had declared war as its army confirmed fighting with militants in several Israeli towns and military bases near Gaza, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to retaliate.
In a televised speech, Haniyeh addressed the Arab countries that have normalised ties with Israel in recent years.
“We say to all countries, including our Arab brothers, that this entity, which cannot protect itself in the face of resistors, cannot provide you with any protection,” he said.
“All the normalization agreements that you signed with that entity cannot resolve this (Palestinian) conflict.”
In 2020, Israel reached normalisation with the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain and upgraded ties with Morocco and Sudan, despite talks with the Palestinians being frozen for years.
Regional powerhouse Saudi Arabia and Israel are also engaged in U.S.-mediated talks to normalise relations, a prospect that drew condemnation from some Palestinian factions.
Haniyeh also said armed Palestinian factions intend to expand the ongoing battle in Gaza to the West Bank and Jerusalem. “The battle moved into the heart of the ‘zionist entity'” he said.