Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas' political wing, was reportedly assassinated in Tehran, Iran, in an operation believed to be carried out by Israel, prompting an emergency meeting of Iran's Supreme National Security Council at Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's residence.
Iran's response has been swift, with senior officials, including the commander of the IRGC Quds Force, convening to address the situation. An Iranian source told Reuters that the council will decide on the response to the assassination.
It's one thing to assassinate Haniyeh; it's another to do it specifically in Tehran.
It's genuinely hard to imagine, let alone put into words, the seriousness of what comes next.
— Omar Baddar عمر بدّار (@OmarBaddar) July 31, 2024
The assassination, viewed as a major security breach, has drawn condemnation from various countries, including Russia, Turkey, and Malaysia, according to Reuters. Deputy Russian Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov remarked, "This is an absolutely unacceptable political murder, and it will lead to further escalation of tensions." Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan called Haniyeh, "my brother," and wrote on X, "This assassination is a vileness that aims to disrupt the Palestinian cause, Gaza's noble resistance and our Palestinian siblings' rightful struggle, to break the will of Palestinians, and to intimidate them. However, just as until today, the Zionist barbarism will not reach its goals."
Areepen Uttarasin, a Thai politician and former Gaza hostage negotiator, said, "The assassination is very serious because it occurred in Iran. It shows that Hamas' opponents can strike anywhere. Assassinating the Hamas leader will make negotiations and de-escalation more difficult. Things will become more violent, and the situation will worsen; it will not improve."
The Qatari Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani called the assassination "a heinous crime, a dangerous escalation, and a blatant violation of international and humanitarian law." Iranian General Ali Hajizadeh warned, "Be prepared to tell the Zionists what the punishment is for shedding the blood of a guest in our home."
Abdel Salam Haniyeh: "My father felt martyrdom every day, and we are proud of him and hold our head high"
Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh was martyred in a treacherous Zionist attack on his residence in Tehran.
"Inna lillahi wa inna ilahi rajiun"#HamasChief #ismailhaniye pic.twitter.com/k9euuL2gSg
— Palestine News?? (@PalestinMedia) July 31, 2024
Hamas official Moussa Abu Marzouk called it a "cowardly act that will not go unpunished." Another Hamas official, Sami Abu Zuhri, said, "Hamas is a concept and an institution and not persons. Hamas will continue on this path regardless of the sacrifices, and we are confident of victory." The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine said, "Israeli enemy crosses all red lines and is pushing things towards a comprehensive war with the entire Resistance Axis," which is "fully prepared for confrontation."
