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Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh killed in Tehran

The New Region

Jul. 31, 2024 • 2 min read
Image of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh killed in Tehran Photo of Ismael Haniyeh.

Less than a day after striking Beirut, Israel killed Hamas political chief Ismael Haniyeh in a strike in Tehran.

The political chief of Hamas Ismail Haniyeh was killed in an Israeli strike on his place of stay in Tehran on Wednesday, the group confirmed.

 

Haniyeh "died following a treacherous Zionist airstrike on his residence in Tehran, after participating in the inauguration ceremony of the new Iranian president, Masoud Pezeshkian," the movement said in a statement.

 

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated it is "studying the dimensions of the incident of Haniyeh's killing in Tehran" and will announce the results of the investigation later.

 

Mousa Abu Marzook, a member of the Hamas political bureau, called the assassination a "cowardly act that will not go unpunished."

 

"We are engaged in an open war to liberate Jerusalem and are ready to pay various prices," said Hamas leader Sami Abu Zuhri.

 

The IRGC confirmed Haniyeh was killed along with one of his personal guards. 

 

Haniyeh’s death has attracted immediate condemnation from Iran-aligned groups across the Middle East.

 

Yemen’s Houthis condemned the assassination, calling it a "terrorist crime and a flagrant violation of laws."

 

Tensions have escalated in the Middle East following recent violent incidents. Iran warned Israel on Sunday against any new military "adventures" in Lebanon, cautioning that such actions could lead to "unpredictable consequences." 

 

This came after a rocket strike on the occupied Golan Heights, which Israel blamed on Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

 

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani stated that any "ignorant move by the Zionist regime" could increase instability and war in the region.

 

He emphasized that Israel would bear responsibility for any "unexpected consequences."

 

On Saturday, the Israeli military reported 12 deaths from a rocket strike on a football field in Majdal Shams, a town in the Israeli annexed Golan Heights. 

 

Thousands attended the funeral on Sunday as Syria blamed Israel for the attack, accusing it of escalating the situation and holding it responsible for the "dangerous escalation."

 

Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee claimed Hezbollah fired the rocket, while Hezbollah denied any involvement. 

 

In a related incident, a citizen was killed and three others injured by Israeli strikes on the southern suburbs of Beirut. 

 

Israeli media reported that among those targeted was senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukur.

 

Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati called on the international community to hold Israel accountable, asserting Lebanon's right to deter Israeli actions.

 

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