Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh killed in Tehran
CAIRO – Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Iran on Wednesday, the Palestinian militant group Hamas and Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards said in separate statements.
The Islamist faction mourned the death of Haniyeh, who it said was killed in “a treacherous Zionist raid on his residence in Tehran”.
Hanieh attended the swearing in ceremony of Iran’s new president on Tuesday.
“Early this morning, the residence of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran was struck, resulting in his and one of his body guards’ martyrdom. The cause is under investigation and will be announced soon,” the Revolutionary Guards said.
The Israeli army did not immediately respond to a request for comment on reports of Haniyeh’s death.
Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu has vowed to destroy Hamas and bring back all hostages taken during the Oct 7 attack, which sparked the war in the Gaza Strip.
Haniyeh was elected head of the Hamas political bureau in 2017 to succeed Khaled Meshaal, but was already a well-known figure having become Palestinian prime minister in 2006 following an upset victory by Hamas in that year’s parliamentary election.
Considered a pragmatist, Haniyeh lived in exile and splits his time between Turkey and Qatar.
He had travelled on diplomatic missions to Iran and Turkey during the war, meeting both the Turkish and Iranian presidents.
Haniyeh was said to maintain good relations with the heads of the various Palestinian factions, including rivals to Hamas.
He joined Hamas in 1987 when the militant group was founded amid the outbreak of the first Palestinian intifada, or uprising, against Israeli occupation, which lasted until 1993.
Haniyeh’s death follows an Israeli strike on Beirut late Tuesday targeting a senior Hezbollah commander. That attack was a response to a rocket assault that killed 12 young people in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights over the weekend.
Reaction to killing of Hamas chief
Abdul Salam Haniyeh, son of Ismail Haniyeh:
“My father survived four assassination attempts during his patriotic journey, and today Allah has granted him the martyrdom that he always wished for.
He was very keen to establish national unity and strived for the unity of all Palestinian factions and we affirm that this assassination will not deter the resistance, which will fight until freedom is achieved.”
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani:
“Haniyeh’s martyrdom in Tehran will strengthen the deep and unbreakable bond between Tehran, Palestine, and the resistance.”
Palestinian group Hamas’ top leader Ismail Haniyeh attends Iran’s new President, Masoud Pezeshkian’s swearing-in ceremony at the parliament in Tehran, Iran, on Tuesday. (Photo: Reuters)
Deputy Russian Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov:
“This is an absolutely unacceptable political murder, and it will lead to further escalation of tensions.”
Malaysian Foreign Ministry:
“Malaysia unequivocally condemns all acts of violence, including targeted assassination, and urges all peace-loving nations to join in denouncing such acts.
“The incident underscores the urgent need for de-escalation and reinforces the necessity for all parties to engage in constructive dialogue and pursue peaceful resolutions.”
Oil soars
Oil jumped, extending an earlier gain, after Hamas said Israel killed its political leader, stoking tensions in a region that produces around a third of the world’s crude.
Brent crude rose to near US$80 a barrel after tumbling by 4.5% over the previous three sessions, with West Texas Intermediate around $76, after Hamas said Israel killed its political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in an airstrike in Iran.
It followed an earlier attack by Israel on Beirut that killed a senior Hezbollah commander.
Source – Bangkok News
