Thousands of mourners gathered in Iran for the funeral procession of Ismail Haniyeh, the political chief of Hamas, who was killed in an ai...
Thousands of mourners gathered in Iran for the funeral procession of Ismail Haniyeh, the political chief of Hamas, who was killed in an airstrike in Tehran. Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, personally led the funeral prayers, highlighting the deep ties between Iran and Hamas. Haniyeh's body is to be interred in Qatar.
U.S. media reports suggest that Ayatollah Khamenei has called for a direct response against Israel, whom Iranian officials blame for the attack on their soil. Israel has not officially commented on the assassination of Haniyeh. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hinted at Israel's involvement, stating that the country had delivered "crushing blows" to its enemies, including the recent elimination of senior Hezbollah leader Fuad Shukr in Beirut. This statement has fueled concerns over a potential wider conflict in the region.
Netanyahu warned Israelis of "challenging days" ahead, signaling preparedness for potential retaliation from various factions, including Hezbollah and Hamas. He emphasized that Israel remains ready for any scenario, urging unity and determination among its citizens.
The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, expressed grave concern over the possibility of a "dangerous escalation" in hostilities across the Middle East. This sentiment reflects the international community's anxiety over the recent surge in violence.
Hamas, in a defiant response, vowed to escalate the conflict, describing Haniyeh's death as a turning point that will "take the battle to new dimensions." The group's armed wing has pledged significant repercussions, indicating a potential increase in attacks against Israeli targets.
Haniyeh's death, which occurred shortly after he attended the inauguration of Iran's new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, marks a significant loss for Hamas. The strike also killed several other Hamas leaders and guards who were with him at the time. A senior Hamas official confirmed that Haniyeh was directly targeted by a missile, leaving the group's leadership in "a state of shock."
The timing of Haniyeh's assassination coincided with Israel's claimed killing of Fuad Shukr, a senior Hezbollah figure, in Beirut. Israel holds Shukr responsible for a recent rocket attack in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights that killed 12 people, although Hezbollah has denied involvement. The attack also resulted in civilian casualties, including two children.
These incidents have exacerbated tensions in the region, with both Israel and its adversaries bracing for further conflict. The situation remains highly volatile, with the potential for significant geopolitical repercussions.
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