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Hamas reported that its political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, was killed in what it called a “sneaky Zionist assault” on his home in Tehran. Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi has vowed to make Israel “regret this cowardly act,” while Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has declared that avenging Haniyeh’s death is a duty for Tehran. Israel has not yet responded to these allegations, with its military stating that it is conducting a situational assessment.
This development follows an Israeli strike in Beirut that resulted in the deaths of three individuals, including two children, and left 74 others wounded. The Israeli military characterized the attack as a “precision strike” aimed at Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr.
In Gaza, the situation remains dire. Gaza officials report that at least 255 Palestinians have been killed in the past nine days during an Israeli ground operation in Khan Younis, with 42 bodies recently recovered from the eastern part of the city. The ongoing conflict has resulted in a total of 39,445 fatalities and 91,073 injuries in Gaza. On October 7, Hamas-led attacks killed an estimated 1,139 people in Israel and left over 200 individuals captive.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Nasser Kanaani, has condemned the assassination of Haniyeh, labeling it as part of a “Palestinian genocide plan.” Kanaani stated that the act represents a severe violation of international law and poses a serious threat to regional and global peace. He accused the US of being complicit in the violence, describing it as an “accomplice” in the ongoing occupation and genocide of Palestinians.
Iran’s response to Haniyeh’s killing reflects heightened tensions in the region, with Iran asserting its right to respond to what it views as an infringement on its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Iranian government has promised to take appropriate measures in retaliation for this act of aggression.