Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh buried in Qatar after he was assassinated

Thousands of mourners and supporters bid farewellto Hamas' political bureau chief Ismail Haniyehon Friday in Qatar (Aug 2) following his assassination in Iran's capital Tehran.Thousands of people gathered at Qatar's largest mosque, whereHaniyeh's casket, draped in a Palestinian flag, was taken before leaving again for burial in Lusail, north of Doha, a report by the news agency AFP said.

Haniyeh's deathwas one in a series of killings of senior Hamas figures as the war in Gaza between Hamas and Israel nears its 11th month. He had played a key role in mediated talks aimed at ending the war.

Hamas and Iran have both accused Israel of carrying out the assassination and have pledged to retaliate against their foe. Israel has not claimed responsibility for the death nor denied it.

Who attended the funeral?

Haniyeh's funeral was attended by Khaled Meshaal, who is tipped to be the new Hamas leader. The funeral was also attended by other top officials of the Palestinian militant groupQatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.

Speaking at themosque, where Haniyeh's body was laid for prayers, Meshaal said his death would only make the group more determined to continue its fight for a free Palestine.

Also watch |Gravitas: Who is Khaled Meshaal, set to be the next Hamas chief?

"Palestine will remain from the river to the sea...and the Zionists (Israel) have no place on the land of Palestine, regardless of how many they kill of us," Meshaal said and pointed out that Haniyeh's death was a big loss to the movementbut it would not alter their course.

"Our enemies don't learn the lesson, they have been killing our leaders for over 100 years, what happened? When a leader ascends (to heaven) another leader comes," he added.

Killing of Haniyeh doesn't help truce talks: Biden

In the United States (US),President Joe Biden said Haniyeh's killing was not helpful to international efforts to secure a ceasefire in the war in Gaza.

"It doesn't help," President Biden told reporters on Thursday when asked if the action ruined the chances of a truce.

(With inputs from agencies)