MENA: Several countries, including Iran and Qatar, to hold funeral proceedings for Ismail Haniyeh July 31- Aug. 2

Funeral and other commemorative events for Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas' political leader, are likely across the region through early August. Iranian authorities announced they will hold a funeral procession in Tehran on Aug. 1 before transferring his body to Doha, Qatar. The Aug. 1 procession will begin at 08:00 in front of the University of Tehran and proceed towards Azadi Square. Iranian authorities have also declared a three-day mourning period from July 31-Aug. 2. In Qatar, the funeral and burial will be held at Imam Mohammed bin Abdul Wahab Mosque in Doha on Aug. 2. Ismail Haniyeh was killed early July 31 in Tehran by an alleged Israeli airstrike.

Other funeral proceedings have been announced across the region. A funeral prayer in absentia will occur on July 31 at Haci Bayram Mosque in Ankara, Turkiye. All mosques under the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) and the Islamic Religious Department (Jawi) have also announced funeral proceedings in the coming days, including in Egypt and the Palestinian Territories. Additional funeral proceedings could materialize across the region in the coming days, including in Iraq and Lebanon.

Thousands of people are expected to attend the different funerals. Commemorative events and associated road closures are likely in Iran during the mourning period, especially in Tehran. Security personnel will likely increase security around places holding funeral proceedings. Transport and business disruptions are likely in areas where heightened security measures are enforced. Security personnel may temporarily close roads to prioritize official motorcade movements. Civil unrest could materialize following the proceedings to denounce Haniyeh's killing.