TEHRAN: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in the early hours of Wednesday in Iran, the Palestinian group Hamas said, sparking fears of a wider escalation in a region rocked by Israel’s offensive in Gaza and worsening conflict in Lebanon.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards confirmed Haniyeh’s death hours after he attended a swearing-in ceremony for the country’s new president and said they were investigating.
They added that one of Haniyeh’s bodyguards was also killed early Wednesday at their residence in Tehran, Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported.
US says ‘not aware of or complicit in killing’, while Middle Eastern countries call it ‘cowardly act’, ‘heinous crime’
China and Russia warn of further regional escalation
Israel had no immediate comment. The Israeli military said it was conducting a situational assessment but did not issue any new security instructions for civilians.
The news, which came less than 24 hours after Israel claimed to have killed a Hezbollah commander it said was behind a deadly strike on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, appears to be slowing the chances of any immediate Gaza ceasefire deal.
“This murder of brother Haniyeh by the Israeli occupation is a serious escalation aimed at breaking the will of Hamas,” senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters.
“We confirm that this escalation will not achieve its goals. Hamas is a concept and an institution, not a person,” he said.
Zuhri promised Hamas to continue on the path it was following, adding: “We are sure of victory.”
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned Haniyeh’s killing and called for a general strike and mass demonstrations by Palestinian factions in the occupied West Bank.
Haniyeh’s son Abdul Salam said his father “survived four assassination attempts during his patriotic journey and today Allah granted him the martyrdom he always desired.”
Former commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, Mohsen Rezaie, warned that Israel would “pay a heavy price” for Haniyeh’s assassination in Tehran, Iranian state media reported.
The assassination of Haniyeh comes as Israel’s campaign in Gaza nears the end of its 10th month with no sign of an end to the conflict that has rocked the Middle East and threatened to spiral into a wider regional conflict.
Speaking at a forum in Singapore, Blinken declined to comment directly on Haniyeh’s killing.
He said reaching a ceasefire in Gaza “is an ongoing imperative”.
The US is not involved in the death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. US Secretary of State Anthony Blanken said that a ceasefire and the release of hostages in Gaza is important, the best way to reduce tensions is a ceasefire.
A funeral prayer for Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh will be held in Tehran on Thursday at 8 a.m. local time in Iran.
After the funeral prayer, the body of Ismail Haniyeh will be taken to the Qatari capital Doha on Thursday.
The funeral prayer for Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh will be held at the Imam Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab Mosque in Doha after Friday prayers.
Haniyeh will then be laid to rest in Lusail.
Global response to the assassination
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Iran on Wednesday, the Palestinian group Hamas and Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards said in separate statements.
The world reacted as follows:
Abdul Salam Haniyeh, son of Ismail Haniyeh
“My father survived four assassination attempts during his patriotic journey and today Allah granted him the martyrdom he always desired.
“He was very zealous for national unity and sought the unity of all Palestinian factions and we declare that this assassination will not deter the resistance that will fight until freedom is achieved.”
Iran
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared that his country will defend its territorial integrity and dignity. “The occupiers and terrorists will regret the cowardly act of killing Ismail Haniyeh.”
“The blood of martyr Ismail Haniyeh will never be in vain. Haniyeh’s martyrdom in Tehran will strengthen the deep and unbreakable bond between Tehran, Palestine and the resistance,” said a spokesman for Iran’s foreign ministry. “The martyrdom of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran will strengthen the deep and unbreakable relationship between the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
Meanwhile, Iran has called a meeting of its top security leadership over the assassination of the Hamas leader. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council will decide on the response to the killings in Tehran. High commanders of the Revolutionary Guards will also take part in the meeting.
Palestine
Palestinian groups have announced a strike and mass demonstrations following the martyrdom of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, a British news agency reported. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas strongly condemned Haniyeh’s murder.
“The killing of Ismail Haniyeh is a cowardly act and a dangerous development,” Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said. “The Palestinian people should remain united against Israel and act with patience and perseverance.”
Russia
“This is an absolutely unacceptable political assassination and will lead to further escalation of tensions,” said Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov.
The Houthis
“Targeting Ismail Haniyeh is a heinous terrorist crime and a flagrant violation of laws and ideal values,” said Mohammed Ali Al-Houthi, head of Yemen’s Houthi Supreme Revolutionary Committee. more determined to confront Israel.”
turkey
“We express our condolences to the Palestinian people who gave hundreds of thousands of martyrs like Haniyeh to live in peace in their homeland, under the roof of their own state.
“Once again it has become clear that the Netanyahu government has no intention of achieving peace.
“This attack also aims to expand the war in Gaza to the regional level. If the international community does not take steps to stop Israel, our region will face much greater conflicts,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Catarrh
“Qatar strongly condemns the assassination of Dr. Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and considers it a heinous crime and a dangerous escalation, as well as a serious violation of international and humanitarian law.
“The State Department confirms that this assassination and Israel’s reckless and continued targeting of civilians in Gaza will plunge the region into chaos and diminish prospects for peace.”
Malaysia
“Malaysia unequivocally condemns all acts of violence, including targeted assassinations, and calls on all peaceful nations to join in condemning such acts.
“The incident underscores the urgent need for de-escalation and reinforces the need for all parties to engage in constructive dialogue and pursue peaceful solutions.”
China
Pakistan condemns Ismail Haniyeh’s assassination in Tehran
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday condemned today’s assassination of Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Hanija in Tehran and expressed deep shock at the timing of the callous act.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement released today: “Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations including extrajudicial and extraterritorial killings regardless of motive.”
In a statement, Pakistan expressed its condolences to Haniyeh’s family and the people of Palestine.
“We are deeply shocked by the timing of this reckless act, which coincides with the inauguration of Iran’s president, an event attended by several foreign dignitaries, including the deputy prime minister of Pakistan,” the ministry said in a statement.
It called on Israel to attack and claimed that Pakistan views growing Israeli adventurism in the region with grave concern.
“Her latest actions represent a dangerous escalation in an already volatile region and undermine efforts for peace.
Haniyeh, a Palestinian resistance group leader who was in Iran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian, was killed at his residence.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said in a statement that the head of Hamas and one of his bodyguards were killed after their residence in Tehran was targeted.
The country’s state news agency IRNA said Hanija was attacked by an air-borne cruise missile that hit a house in northern Tehran around 2 a.m. local time.
