Hamas has announced that its leader, Ismail Haniyeh, was killed in an air strike while staying in Tehran. The strike occurred at around 2:00 local time, and Hamas has blamed Israel for the attack. Israel has not yet responded to these accusations but has previously vowed to target Hamas’s leadership.
Haniyeh’s death follows another strike by Israel just hours earlier, which reportedly killed a senior Hezbollah commander in Beirut. The consecutive attacks on two senior Iran-backed militant leaders within 24 hours have heightened fears of escalating regional conflict.
Haniyeh, originally from Gaza and a resident of Qatar for several years, was in Tehran for the inauguration of Iran’s president. His death puts ongoing ceasefire talks between Hamas and Israel in jeopardy, as Haniyeh was a pivotal figure in these negotiations.
Regional and Global Reactions
- Jordan has condemned the assassination “in the strongest terms,” warning that it will lead to increased tension and chaos in the region.
- Lebanon‘s Prime Minister, Najib Mikati, also condemned the attack and cautioned about serious regional escalation.
- China expressed its strong opposition and concern, calling for a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
These reactions reflect the growing international apprehension about the potential for further instability in the Middle East following the death of Haniyeh and the attack on the Hezbollah commander.
