After Ismail Haniyeh, the political head of Hamas, was killed, the organization claims to have started talks to choose a new leader. Hamas released an announcement on its internet sites on Sunday that after the murder of our commander, the highest officials of the organization began an extensive discussion to select its next leader.
Haniyeh’s death, according to the statement, “would only make the Hamas and the Palestinian resistance and stronger and more determined to continue his path and approach.” The organization stated that when the discussions are over, the findings would be made public.
Early on Wednesday, Haniyeh was killed in Tehran, the capital of Iran, in an incident that Iranian authorities attribute to Israel. Iran and its allies in the Middle East have vowed to exact revenge on those who killed Haniyeh. Israel, which is being held accountable for the attack by Iran, and Hamas, has not responded to the murder directly. Haniyeh was visiting Tehran for Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s inauguration. His corpse were taken to Doha for burial following his funeral in Tehran on Thursday, during which Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei did the prayers.
Tensions in Middle East
Anxiety in the Middle East is rising due to worries of a regional conflict, even as Iran and its closest allies are ready to respond to Haniyeh’s murder. The US, announced that it will send more fighter aircraft and warships to the area, and a number of Western nations, notably the US and the UK, have urged their nationals to leave Lebanon right once, as that is home to Hezbollah, an ally of Hamas.
Only hours had passed since Israel killed Hezbollah’s military leader in Beirut, leading to threats of retaliation from Iran and the “axis of resistance,” which are armed organizations Iran supports throughout the Middle East.
In response to a question from reporters on Saturday on Iran’s potential to step down following the incident in Tehran, US President Joe Biden stated, “I hope so. I don’t know.” About 30 rockets were fired into Israel from southern Lebanon, according to the Israeli military early on Sunday. The majority of the rockets were shot down, and no casualties were recorded.
According to Lebanese media, the rocket assault was launched after Israeli airstrikes during the previous night attacked multiple locations in southern Lebanon. Since the day after the Gaza conflict started on October 7, Israel and Hezbollah, have been exchanging missiles. Nearly 40,000 Palestinians have died as a result of it thus far, and the encircled population has been forced to flee as a result of rampant famine and medical issues.
