Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, also condemned the assassination, promising “harsh punishment” for those responsible. He declared it Iran’s duty to avenge Haniyeh’s death, calling him a martyr in the Islamic Republic’s territory.
Iran’s new President, Masoud Pezeshkian, warned of severe repercussions for what he described as a cowardly act by Israel, suggesting that such actions demonstrate the failure of Israeli policies.
Israel has not commented on the strike in Tehran, which followed an attack on a Hezbollah stronghold in Beirut, targeting a senior commander blamed for a recent deadly rocket strike on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
The Gulf state of Qatar, involved in mediating a ceasefire in Gaza alongside Egypt and the United States, expressed concerns that Haniyeh’s death could jeopardize peace efforts. Haniyeh, who was Hamas’s chief negotiator, had previously been in Qatar before moving to Iran.
Hamas declared, “Brother leader, mujahid Ismail Haniyeh, died in a Zionist strike on his residence in Tehran after he participated in the inauguration of the new president.” Musa Abu Marzuk, a Hamas political bureau member, pledged retaliation for the assassination.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards confirmed Haniyeh’s death, stating that his Tehran residence was targeted, killing him and a bodyguard. Iranian media reported the strike occurred at 2:00 am, hitting residences for war veterans where Haniyeh was staying.
Haniyeh was in Tehran for President Pezeshkian’s swearing-in ceremony. Following his death, Iran declared three days of national mourning, with a public funeral planned in Tehran before his body is transported to Qatar for burial.
Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas condemned the killing, calling it a cowardly act. Palestinian factions in the West Bank called for a general strike and protests. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to dismantle Hamas in response to their October 7 attacks on Israel, which resulted in significant casualties and hostages.
The conflict has escalated regional tensions, involving Iran-backed groups in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen. Qatar’s prime minister questioned the viability of mediation efforts following Haniyeh’s assassination, emphasizing that peace requires serious partners.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated the importance of a ceasefire in Gaza, although he did not comment on Haniyeh’s killing directly. Mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the US have been negotiating with Israeli officials to reach a truce.
Haniyeh’s death complicates these efforts, with concerns over the fate of hostages still held by Hamas. In Israel, there is worry that his assassination might hinder potential deals for their release.
The strike on Tehran that killed Haniyeh followed an Israeli attack on Beirut, targeting senior Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr. Hezbollah confirmed Shukr was inside the building hit by Israel but did not specify his fate. Israel claimed the strike eliminated Shukr, whom they held responsible for the recent Golan Heights attack.
Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati warned that the strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs threatened efforts to maintain calm in the region.
