Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh Assassinated in Tehran

(iexclusivenews) – In a shocking development, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran, Iran, after attending the inauguration of the country’s new president.

Both Iran and Hamas confirmed the news early Wednesday, attributing the attack to an Israeli airstrike.

Hamas has accused Israel of orchestrating the airstrike that killed Haniyeh, the head of the Palestinian militant group’s political bureau.

Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard is currently investigating the incident but has not disclosed the specifics of how the attack occurred.

Background of the Conflict and Details of the Attack

Israel has openly vowed to target Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders following the group’s October 7 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the capture of approximately 250 hostages.

Despite the gravity of these accusations, an Israeli military spokesman has yet to comment on the assassination, and Israel typically refrains from discussing operations conducted by its Mossad intelligence agency.

According to Hamas, Haniyeh was killed in a “Zionist airstrike on his residence in Tehran” shortly after attending the swearing-in ceremony of Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian.

The event was also attended by other Hamas officials, as well as representatives from Hezbollah and allied groups.

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Hamas’ Response and Regional Reactions

In a statement, Hamas declared Haniyeh a martyr, emphasizing his dedication to the Palestinian cause.

The group quoted Hamas leader Haniyeh as saying that the struggle for Palestine comes with significant costs, including martyrdom for the sake of the nation and God Almighty.

Hamas leader Haniyeh had been residing in Qatar for years, where Hamas maintains its primary political office outside of Gaza.

His assassination has drawn condemnation from various quarters, including Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who labeled the killing a “cowardly act and dangerous development.”

Political factions in the West Bank have called for strikes to protest the assassination.

Previous Attacks and Broader Implications

This incident follows a series of targeted killings, including an Israeli airstrike in Gaza that killed three of Haniyeh’s sons and four of his grandchildren in April.

Despite these losses, Hamas leader Haniyeh had previously stated that such actions would not pressure Hamas into altering its stance during cease-fire negotiations with Israel.

The assassination of Haniyeh comes on the heels of another significant event: an Israeli strike in Beirut that killed Fouad Shukur, a top Hezbollah military commander.

This strike also resulted in civilian casualties, including a woman and two children, and has further escalated tensions in the region.

Hezbollah’s Stance and U.S. Involvement

Hezbollah has vowed that Haniyeh’s death will strengthen the resolve of regional resistance against Israel.

The group continues to search for Shukur’s body amidst the rubble in Beirut.

Meanwhile, Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces, a coalition of Iranian-backed militias, reported a strike on a base southwest of Baghdad that killed four members of the Kataib Hezbollah militia.

The group has accused the United States of being behind the attack, highlighting the complex web of hostilities in the region.