Thousands protest assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Istanbul

Haniyeh was killed in Tehran by Israeli occupation regime, an act that has sparked widespread outrage and demonstrations across the world.

The protest, organized by numerous NGOs, began at Fatih Mosque where citizens congregated for evening prayers. Following the prayers, the massive crowd marched towards Beyazıt Square, holding Turkish, Palestinian, and Tawhid flags. Throughout the march, the demonstrators frequently chanted the takbir and slogans in support of the resistance and against the occupation regime. The procession, which spanned approximately two kilometers, led to road closures along the route.

Talal Nasser, a Hamas official, addressed the demonstrators, emphasizing the resilience and continuity of Hamas despite the loss of key leaders over the years. "You martyred the honorable commander, the honorable soldier, Ismail Haniyeh, but Hamas will continue to strike," Nasser declared. He highlighted that the commitment to their cause goes beyond individual leaders, rooted deeply in the broader struggle for justice and liberation.

Nasser's speech also served as a call to action for Arab and Islamic countries, criticizing their lack of unity in the face of aggression against Palestinians. "If the murdered and slaughtered children did not unite you, what will unite you?" he questioned, pointing out the silence of many nations and praising Turkey and President Erdogan for their vocal support. He urged for greater solidarity and decisive action against the injustices faced by Palestinians.

Speaking on behalf of the Hope Caravan Foundation, Vice President Erdal Elibüyük commended the unity displayed at the protest. He stated that Haniyeh's martyrdom had successfully brought together diverse communities and political views within the ummah. "Today, the squares responded to the will of our martyr, our saint, our leader, Shahid Haniyeh," Elibüyük said. "40 thousand martyrs could not bring Muslims together, but Haniyeh's last will brought them together. It brought together all the communities, political views, societies, associations, foundations, all the colors of the ummah, and Allah has granted us to see them together."

Muhammed Emin Yıldırım, President of the Siyer Foundation, delivered a powerful speech, emphasizing the sacrifices made for their cause and predicting imminent victory. "We sacrificed our most beautiful ones one by one in the way of Allah and today we gave our Ismail," Yıldırım proclaimed. He expressed hope that the ongoing struggle since October 7 would lead to freedom for Al-Aqsa Mosque and Jerusalem. "If a nation has started to sacrifice its best members, victory is near, there is no doubt about that. Gaza has been sacrificing itself for 8 months as an atonement for the Ummah of Muhammad. We sacrificed our best ones one by one in the way of Allah and today we sacrificed our Ismail. We know and believe that Inshallah, the process has started since October 7 and no one will be able to stop this process from now on. Either we will all be sacrificed for the freedom of Al-Aqsa Mosque and Jerusalem or we will be condemned to humiliation. You, my beautiful brothers and sisters who filled this square today, have once again revealed that victory is near and as we shed this blood, we will revive the sleeping Ummah and we will be the soul of the veins of humanity again."

The protest in Istanbul underscores the deep-seated emotions and strong reactions provoked by Haniyeh's assassination. The large turnout and passionate speeches reflect the intense solidarity among the protesters and their unwavering commitment to their cause.

As the demonstration continued, the participants vowed to keep fighting for justice and liberation, honoring the legacy of Ismail Haniyeh and other martyrs. The event not only served as a protest against the assassination but also as a powerful statement of unity and resilience among the supporters of Hamas and the broader Palestinian cause. (ILKHA)