Topline
Ismail Haniyeh, the top political leader of Hamas, was killed in Tehran early on Wednesday, Iranian officials said, as Hamas blamed Israel and accused it of carrying out the targeted assassination.
Ismail Haniyeh (L) was in Tehran to attend the inauguration of Iran’s newly-elected President Masoud … [+]
Key Facts
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said Haniyeh, who was in Tehran to attend the inauguration of Iran’s new president, was targeted at his place of residence—without offering additional details.
At first Hamas blamed an Israeli raid but a follow up statement said Haniyeh was killed by an Israeli airstrike on his residence in Tehran.
A senior Hamas official, Moussa Abu Marzouk, called the purported assassination a “cowardly act” and warned it will not go unanswered.
Israeli military officials have refused to comment on the matter although the country usually does not publicly claim responsibility for assassinations carried out its intelligence service Mossad, according to the Associated Press.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council held a rare emergency meeting at the home of the country’s supreme leader, highlighting the seriousness of incident, the New York Times reported.
Crucial Quote
Despite the Israeli government’s refusal to comment, the country’s Heritage Minister and far-right lawmaker Amichay Eliyahu tweeted about Haniyeh’s death and wrote: “This is the right way to clean the world from this filth. No more imaginary ‘peace’/surrender agreements, no more mercy for these sons of death…The iron hand that will strike them is the one that will bring quiet and a little comfort, and strengthen our ability to live in peace.”
Chief Critic
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas—whose party Fatah has been Hamas’ political rival for several years— condemned Haniyeh’s killing saying it was a “cowardly act and a dangerous development.” Abbas then urged the Palestinian people to “unite, be patient and steadfast in the face of the Israeli occupation.”
What To Watch For
Haniyeh was a key figure involved in the ongoing cease-fire and hostage release talks with Israel, mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the U.S., and his assassination is likely to further delay any deal.
Tangent
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who is on a diplomatic visit to the Philippines was asked about the Haniyeh’s killing by reporters on Wednesday and said “I don’t have anything for you on that.” Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov condemned the incident saying “This is an absolutely unacceptable political murder, and it will lead to further escalation of tensions.”
Further Reading
Hamas says its leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran by an Israeli airstrike (Associated Press)
