Hamas Leader: Assassinated

Hi Global Recap readers,

What the heck is going on? Are we living in a simulation?

After days of Elon Musk criticizing Venezuelan President Maduro for rigging the election, Maduro has now challenged Musk to a fight.

Musk’s response? “I accept.” “He will chicken out.”

This move by Maduro seems like a diversion tactic to shift attention away from the election.

🇮🇷 IRAN
Hamas Leader: Assassinated

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Iran, sparking threats of retaliation against Israel and raising fears of wider escalation in the region.

Assassination Details

Haniyeh was killed early Wednesday morning in Iran, drawing threats of revenge from Hamas and Iran.

• Iran’s Revolutionary Guards confirmed Haniyeh’s death and are investigating the incident.

• Haniyeh, normally based in Qatar, had been attending a swearing-in ceremony for Iran’s new president.

Reactions and Threats

The assassination has led to a series of reactions and threats from various parties.

• Hamas’ armed wing vowed to retaliate, stating the killing would have major repercussions.

• Iran declared three days of national mourning and blamed the US for supporting Israel.

• Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei promised harsh punishment for Israel.

• Although Israel is assumed to have carried out the attack, it has remained silent on the event.

Who Was Haniyeh?

Haniyeh was one of the top leaders of Hamas.

• Early Life: Born in 1962 in the Shati refugee camp north of Gaza.

• Mentorship: His rise to power in Gaza was aided by his mentor, Sheik Yassin, the spiritual leader and a founder of Hamas, for whom he served as personal secretary.

• Leadership: Widely considered to be a charismatic and popular within the Hamas movement.

• Lifestyle: However, Haniyeh was often criticized for living a life of luxury in Qatar while Gazans suffered from poverty and were used as human shields by Hamas.

• Net Worth: Haniyeh’s net worth, estimated at $4 billion, was accumulated over the years through real estate and business investments, as well as the misappropriation of foreign aid.

Impact on Ceasefire Talks

The assassination has complicated efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza.

• The killing occurred less than 24 hours after Israel claimed to have killed a Hezbollah commander.

• Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated Israel is prepared for all scenarios but is not trying to escalate the war.

• Ceasefire talks, brokered by Qatar and Egypt, appear to have faltered.

🇬🇧 UNITED KINGDOM
Radical Preacher Sentenced

Anjem Choudary, a radical British preacher, has been sentenced to life in prison for directing a banned terrorist group.

Choudary’s Conviction

Choudary was found guilty of leading the radical Muslim group al-Muhajiroun (ALM).

• He was convicted for directing ALM, being a member of the banned organization, and drumming up support for it.

• Justice Mark Wall stated that Choudary’s actions put many lives at risk.

• ALM was outlawed by the British government in 2010 for promoting terrorism.

• However, Choudary denied promoting ALM, claiming it no longer existed.

Sentencing Details

Choudary and his follower received significant prison sentences.

• Choudary must serve at least 28 years behind bars.

• His follower, Khaled Hussein, was sentenced to five years for membership in a proscribed organization.

Previous Convictions

Choudary had a history of supporting extremist activities.

• In 2015, he was convicted of supporting ISIS under the Terrorism Act.

• He had provoked outrage by protesting outside the US Embassy and burning memorial poppies on the anniversary of 9/11.

• Choudary denied the existence of the Holocaust and even joked about Sept. 11.

🇮🇶 IRAQ
US Strikes Iranian Forces

For the first time since February, the US launched a strike on Iranian-backed forces in Iraq.

Strike Details

The US targeted Iranian-aligned militia groups in Babil province, south of Baghdad.

• US fighter jets carried out the strike on Tuesday. This is the same day that Israel killed a top Hezbollah commander in Beirut.

• Four members of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) were killed in the attack.

• US officials stated the strike was a defensive measure in response to a drone launch threat from Iranian-backed militias and a rocket attack on Iraq’s Ain al-Asad airbase, which houses US-led forces, last week.

Iraqi Response

Iraqi officials condemned the US strike, calling it a serious transgression.

• Yehia Rasool, spokesperson for Iraq’s armed forces commander, criticized the attack.

• Rasool warned it could undermine efforts to combat ISIS.

• PMF urged Iraq to expel foreign forces.

US Justification

US officials stated the strike was a defensive measure.

• The US aims to deter further threats from Iranian-backed groups.

• Ongoing dialogue between Iraq and the US about troop presence may be affected.

🇬🇳 GUINEA
Ex-Dictator Found Guilty

In a landmark ruling, Guinea’s former junta leader, Moussa Dadis Camara, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for crimes against humanity. This verdict brings a long-awaited sense of justice to the victims of the 2009 stadium massacre.

The Massacre

The 2009 massacre at a pro-democracy rally resulted in over 150 deaths.

• Camara and others were charged with murder, rape, torture, and kidnapping.

• The court found Camara guilty based on his upper hierarchy responsibility.

• Several other former military commanders received life sentences.

• Camara has denied the charges, blaming his subordinates for the massacre.

Victims’ Testimonies

Around 100 victims provided terrifying testimonies during the trial.

• One woman, who was raped and lost her husband, called for severe punishment.

• Asmaou Diallo, head of a victims’ association, emphasized the importance of the trial for truth and justice.

Camara’s Rule

Camara took power in a coup in lat 2008 and led Guinea until 2010 as the head of a military junta.