The Political head of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, was assassinated on hours before the Wednesday dawn in Iranian territories by unknown perpetrators. The strike sparked more worries that the Gaza war was escalating into a larger regional war and attracted vows of retaliation against Israeli state.
Ismail Haniyeh’s demise was verified by IRGC and the Hamas authorities. The incident unfolded shortly after Haniyeh observed Iranian new president’s inauguration in the legislature, according to the Guards.
Most people believed that Israel spearheaded the attack on Hamas leader. However, the administration of Benjamin Netanyahu refused to take responsibility for the murder and stated it refrains from commenting on it.
A rocket that struck Haniyeh in person while he was residing in a security-guarded hotel killed him. Typically resided in Qatar, Haniyeh served as the public head of Hamas’s diplomatic efforts abroad as the Gaza war went on. He has been involved in indirect negotiations for a truce in the Gaza Strip, mediated by the international community.
Israeli Prime Minister did not address Haniyeh’s death in a live address. Netanyahu, instead, stated that Tel Aviv would adamantly repel any assault and that it has recently dealt severe damage to Iranian proxies, notably Hamas and Hezbollah. “Israel shall be unified and unwavering in opposition to any danger, ready for whatever that may come its way. Whatever action against the nation, from whatever source, would come at a very high price from Israel.”
The most recent developments seem to be undermining the likelihood of an impending truce in the almost ten-month-old conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. In an announcement, the armed wing of Hamas said that Haniyeh’s death will transform the conflict and have far-reaching effects. Tehran announced three official days of national mourning, vowed to respond, and blamed the United States for its backing of Israel.
Scores of supporters of the Palestinian cause demonstrated through downtown of Istanbul yesterday to express their outrage at Haniyeh’s death. Adorning posters featuring Haniyeh’s picture, demonstrators in Istanbul’s Fatih neighborhood shouted “Israel is murderer, get out of Palestine”.
Direct Retaliatory Strike
The Supreme Leader of Iran declared that Israel deserves “harsh punishment” since it had set the stage. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei insisted Iran has a duty to exact revenge for Haniyeh’s demise. Early in the Gaza War, Israeli targets were directly attacked by Iranian troops.
Quoting from three anonymous Iranian sources, New York Times reported on Thursday that Iranian leader has personally issued the order to strike Israeli targets “directly” in response to Haniyeh assassination in Tehran. Ayatollah Khamenei gave the order during an emergency meeting of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council hours after the assassination on Wednesday. Among the three sources of New York Times, two were members of Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps. Iran’s retaliation bid, according to New York Times, means to balance the show of power between Israel and Iran.
According to observers and Hamas insiders, Haniyeh’s deputy, Khaled Meshaal, who resides in Doha, is the most probable candidate to succeed him. Speaking to reporters, Israeli cabinet spokesman stated that Tel Aviv was dedicated to negotiating a truce in Gaza and obtaining the safe return of Israeli hostages.
U.S. Secretary of State avoided answering a question about Haniyeh’s death, stating that a truce in Gaza was essential to preventing a greater regional confrontation.
