Nitin Gadkari Reflects on Meeting Hamas Leader Before His Assassination
Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari recently shared his memories of meeting Ismail Haniyeh, the late Hamas leader, just before his assassination in Iran. During a book launch, Gadkari recounted attending the inauguration of the Iranian president at the request of Prime Minister Modi. He described how Haniyeh, who was not representing any country, caught his attention among the gathered dignitaries. The minister expressed his shock upon learning of Haniyeh's death the following day from the Indian ambassador. This incident highlights the complex political landscape and the significant events surrounding Haniyeh's life and death.
Dec 25, 2025, 10:50 IST
Gadkari Remembers Encounter with Ismail Haniyeh
Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari recounted his meeting with the late Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh prior to his assassination in Iran. During a book launch event on Tuesday, Gadkari shared that he attended the inauguration ceremony of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in Tehran last July at the behest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He noted that global leaders and dignitaries gathered at a five-star hotel in Tehran before the ceremony, where Haniyeh caught his attention as he was not representing any nation.
Gadkari mentioned that while various leaders were present, Haniyeh stood out as he was not a head of state. He recalled their encounter when he saw Haniyeh arriving at the inauguration alongside the Iranian president and chief justice. The minister also described the day after the event when the Indian ambassador to Iran woke him up to inform him of Haniyeh's assassination. He expressed his shock, stating, “After the inauguration ceremony, I returned to my hotel, but around 4 AM, the Indian ambassador came to me and said we had to leave. When I asked what happened, he told me that the Hamas leader had been killed. I was stunned.”
Ismail Haniyeh, a senior Hamas leader aged 62, was killed in an airstrike in Iran on July 31, 2024. Following Hamas's unexpected attack on October 7, he became one of Israel's primary targets. According to Hamas statements, Haniyeh was targeted at his residence in Tehran shortly after attending the inauguration ceremony of Iran's newly elected president. A video released just hours after the October 7 attacks showed Haniyeh praying with other senior Hamas officials, expressing gratitude for the success of the assault.