Former Palestinian prime minister and senior political leader of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh was killed by an airstrike in Tehran. His assassination has increased regional pressure in middle east. The assassination risks increasing the conflict between Israel and Iran. This incident happened after Ismail Haniyeh was at the inauguration of newly elected Iran’s president. Israel has vowed to kill Hamas leaders for October 7 attack on southern Israel.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned the killing of Hamas top most head Ismail Haniyeh in Iran’s capital Tehran. He assured Iran would defend its sincerity and make those responsible feel apologetic about their actions. Hamas holds responsible Israel, which has remained silent.
The assassination could arouse Iranian revenge against Israel and disturb cease-fire talks. Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, a partner of Iran, might increase. Hours before, Israel struck in Lebanon in which a top Hezbollah commander was killed. Hezbollah denied involvement in a rocket attack that killed 12 in the Israeli controlled Golan Heights.
The White House has not reacted regarding the killing of Haniyeh. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin wished for a diplomatic resolution. Israel’s military declined to give a statement, as is typical with its Mossad operations.
Sami Abu Zuhri, a spokesman for Hamas, said Haniyeh’s assassination wouldn’t weaken the group. He also said that Israel spreads chaos and won’t attain its goals.
Ismail Haniyeh’s Political Career
Haniyeh was imprisoned multiple times by Israeli authorities and lived in and out of the Gaza strip after facing ex partition and assassination attempts. In June, 10 members of his family were killed in an Israeli attack in Gaza. Haniyeh left Gaza strip in 2019. He was living in Qatar & Yehya Sinwar leads Hamas in Gaza.
Haniyeh’s press adviser, Taher al-Nounou, termed it a turning point in the conflict. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas also condemned the killing, calling it faint hearted and dangerous.
In April, an Israeli airstrike killed three of Haniyeh’s sons and four grandchildren. Haniyeh said this wouldn’t pressure Hamas into softening its positions.
Israel has a history of assassinating Iranian nuclear scientists. A top scientist was killed near Tehran in 2020. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, the Israel Gaza war has killed over 39,360 Palestinians, with over 90,900 wounded since October.
