Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran, Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard reported early Wednesday, attributing the attack to Israel. This development marks a significant escalation in the conflict between Hamas and Israel.
Israel Vows to Target Hamas Leaders
Israel has pledged to eliminate Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders following the group’s Oct. 7 attack on Israel, which resulted in 1,200 deaths and around 250 hostages. An Israeli military spokesman did not immediately respond to requests for comment, adhering to Israel’s usual practice of not commenting on assassinations potentially executed by their Mossad intelligence agency.
Hamas Blames Israel for Haniyeh’s Death
Hamas declared Haniyeh’s death in a “Zionist airstrike on his residence in Tehran after he participated in the inauguration of Iran’s new president.” The group issued a statement mourning Haniyeh as a martyr and reaffirming their commitment to the Palestinian cause.
Background on Ismail Haniyeh
Haniyeh, who had been living in exile in Qatar since 2019, attended Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian’s swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday. Haniyeh previously lost three sons and four grandchildren in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza in April. The assassination occurred amid heightened tensions, following Israel’s rare strike on Beirut that targeted and allegedly killed Fouad Shukur, a top Hezbollah commander.
International Reactions and Implications
The assassination has sparked immediate analysis and blame on Israeli actions from Iranian state television. The incident coincides with diplomatic efforts by the Biden administration to negotiate a cease-fire and hostage-release deal between Hamas and Israel. U.S. officials, including CIA Director Bill Burns and White House Coordinator Brett McGurk, are actively engaged in the region for talks.
Ongoing Conflict and Casualties
Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hamas since the October attack has resulted in significant casualties, with the Gaza Health Ministry reporting over 39,360 Palestinians killed and more than 90,900 wounded. The statistics encompass both civilians and combatants, reflecting the severe humanitarian impact of the hostilities.
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