Former Palestinian Prime Minister and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was martyred in an assassination attack in Iran. Hamas confirmed his death, claiming that Ismail Haniyeh was targeted by Jewish agents and vowed to avenge his death.
According to Iranian media, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was attacked at his residence in Tehran. He was in Iran to attend the inauguration ceremony of Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian.
Over 70 countries’ representatives attended Masoud Pezeshkian’s inauguration ceremony. Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, and Islamic Jihad’s Ziyad al-Nakhalah were also present at the event.
“Ismail Haniyeh’s residence targeted by missile”
According to a report published by the British Broadcasting Corporation, Saudi media outlet Al-Hadath stated that Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh’s residence in Tehran was targeted by a guided missile.
The report indicated that Ismail Haniyeh’s residence was targeted around 2:00 AM local time.
The Palestinian resistance organization Hamas confirmed Ismail Haniyeh’s martyrdom, stating that Jewish agents targeted him in a cowardly act, and they will take revenge.
“Open war will erupt for the liberation of occupied Jerusalem”
Speaking to the international news agency Reuters, senior Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri said that Israel will not achieve its goals through Ismail Haniyeh’s assassination, and now an “open war” will erupt to liberate occupied Jerusalem, and Hamas is prepared to pay any price for it.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a statement saying that Ismail Haniyeh was targeted at his residence in Tehran, resulting in the martyrdom of one of his guards as well. The reasons behind the early morning incident are not immediately clear, but investigations are ongoing to determine the causes.
The IRGC mentioned that Ismail Haniyeh had met with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei the day before.
Mahmoud Abbas’s Reaction
According to Wafa News Agency, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, urging Palestinians to unite.
He called the assassination of the Hamas leader a cowardly act and urged Palestinians to remain steadfast.
White House Declines Immediate Comment
According to a report by CNN, a White House spokesperson stated that they have seen the reports about Ismail Haniyeh’s death but declined to comment.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military also refused to comment on the reports of Ismail Haniyeh’s death, stating that they do not comment on foreign media reports.
Martyrdom of Ismail Haniyeh’s Sons in an Israeli Attack
Earlier this year, during Eid al-Fitr, Ismail Haniyeh’s three sons were martyred in an Israeli bombing.
Ismail Haniyeh’s three sons, Hazem, Mohammed, and Amir, were traveling in their car when Israel bombed their vehicle in Gaza’s Al-Shati camp, resulting in the martyrdom of all three sons.
In addition to Ismail Haniyeh’s three sons, four of his grandchildren, including three boys and a girl, were martyred in this attack.
Later, in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza, Ismail Haniyeh’s sister Zahra Haniyeh and 10 other family members were killed. According to Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for Hamas-administered Gaza’s Civil Defense, Israel targeted Ismail Haniyeh’s house in Al-Shati refugee camp.
October 7, 2023 Attack
According to an AFP report based on Israeli official statistics, Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack resulted in the deaths of 1,197 Israelis, with Hamas fighters taking 251 hostages, 111 of whom are still held in Gaza.
According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, Israeli bombing has so far resulted in the martyrdom of 39,400 Palestinians in Gaza, including a large number of children and women, with over 90,996 Palestinians injured.
Efforts for a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, mediated by the USA, Qatar, and Egypt, have been ongoing for several months. The agreement, proposed by US President Joe Biden in May this year, includes a six-week ceasefire as the first phase and the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Israeli citizens taken hostage by Hamas on October 7.
