In international news, Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran early Wednesday morning. It’s pretty clear who carried out the hit. What’s dangerous about it is Haniyeh was killed in Iran. Not Gaza, but Iran. The capital no less.
The event sent shockwaves through the region and can significantly impact Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hamas, raising tensions globally with allies on both sides.
So here’s how the death was reported by Hamas … Khalil Al-Hayya, Hamas’ deputy chief in Gaza, reported that Haniyeh was killed by a missile that directly hit his residence, causing extensive damage to the building. The attack also killed one of Haniyeh’s guards. Luckily no one else was killed from initial reporting even though an entire building was leveled.
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Of course, Hamas accused Israel of orchestrating the “treacherous Zionist raid,” while Iran’s Revolutionary Guards confirmed Haniyeh’s death and announced an investigation.
What’s wild is the assassination followed Haniyeh’s attendance at a swearing-in ceremony for Iran’s new president. A bit embarrassing for Iran. He was visiting the swearing in of Iran’s new president and he gets assassinated. If you recall the previous president died in a weird helicopter crash along with top aides.
The Israeli government has not claimed responsibility for the strike, and the IDF is currently evaluating the situation without issuing new security directives. Interesting response.
Naturally, Hamas warned that Haniyeh’s death would escalate the conflict, with Iran declaring three days of national mourning and blaming the US for supporting Israel. What happens after the mourning? Who does what to who, in this cycle of death and destruction? When does it all end.
As for the potential for reprisals, Senior Hamas official Musa Abu Marzouk stated that the assassination would not go unanswered. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, vowed harsh retaliation, framing the event as an attack on Iran itself. Iranian forces have already launched strikes on Israel in response to previous conflicts.
As expected, the international response has been one of condemnation, with Qatar who are handling negotiations for a cease fire and return of Israeli hostages, Egypt, China, Russia, Turkey, and Iraq all denouncing the killing as a dangerous escalation. The assassination comes shortly after Israel claimed to have killed a Hezbollah commander, further complicating the possibility of a ceasefire in the ongoing 10-month war in Gaza.
Here’s one thing we can all agree on, the violence from all sides needs to stop. Period.