Haniyeh, normally based in Qatar, had been the face of the Palestinian group’s international diplomacy.
By The Nexus Gazette.
31th July,2024.
In a dramatic escalation of tensions in the Middle East, Hamas’s top political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, was assassinated in Tehran, Iran. This shocking event occurred shortly after Haniyeh attended the inauguration ceremony of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The killing, confirmed by both Iran and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, has sent shockwaves through the region, raising concerns about a potential widening of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
On Wednesday at approximately 2 a.m. local time (6:30 p.m. ET Tuesday), a raid was conducted on Haniyeh’s residence in Tehran. The 62-year-old leader was killed in what Hamas described as a “treacherous Zionist raid.” The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran also confirmed the assassination and stated that an investigation is underway to identify the perpetrators and motives behind the attack.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian responded strongly to the incident, promising to defend Iran’s territorial integrity and ensure the attackers face severe consequences. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, echoed these sentiments, warning that Israel had instigated severe retaliation. The incident has heightened tensions between Iran and Israel, with both sides trading barbs and warnings of further actions.
The assassination of Haniyeh adds a new dimension to the ongoing proxy war between Iran and Israel. There is growing concern that the conflict, traditionally centered around Gaza, may now expand beyond its borders. Iran, a known supporter of Hamas, also backs other militant groups in the region, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthi rebels in Yemen. This broader coalition of Iran-backed groups could potentially escalate their activities in response to the assassination.
Haniyeh has been a central figure in Hamas’s leadership for many years. In recent months, the group has been involved in several high-profile incidents, including a deadly attack on Israel in October. Additionally, earlier this year, Haniyeh’s sons were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza, further fueling the cycle of violence.
As of now, Israeli authorities have not issued an official statement regarding the assassination. However, the incident has drawn international attention, with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasizing the importance of diplomacy over military action in resolving such conflicts. The world watches closely as the situation develops, with many fearing that this assassination could be a catalyst for broader conflict in the Middle East.
Resources:
2.https://apnews.com/live/hamas-haniyeh-iran-israel-live-updates
3.https://news.sky.com/story/hamas-leader-ismail-haniyeh-killed-in-iran-group-says-13187783