Ismail Haniyeh’s death in Tehran prompts international and local reactions

The death of Ismail Haniyeh, head of Hamas’ political bureau, in an airstrike that targeted his residence in Tehran after he participated in the inauguration ceremony of the new Iranian president was met with a flurry of reactions on both the Palestinian and international levels.

In the first reaction, Moscow strongly condemned the incident, calling it an “unacceptable political crime.” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov emphasized that Haniyeh’s death would lead to a further escalation of tensions and harm ceasefire talks in Gaza.

Turkey expressed its condemnation of the assassination, calling it a “despicable assassination” aimed at “extending the war from Gaza to the regional level.”

The Turkish Foreign Ministry emphasized that this operation reflects the Netanyahu government’s lack of intention to achieve peace, warning of escalating conflicts in the region if the international community does not take action to stop Israel.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas described the assassination as a “cowardly act and a dangerous development” that reflects an unprecedented escalation in the region.

For its part, Qatar strongly condemned the operation as a “heinous crime” that represents a violation of international and humanitarian law. The Qatari Foreign Ministry emphasized that this escalation could undermine the chances of peace in the region, expressing its condolences to the Palestinian people and the families of the victims.

China, through its Foreign Ministry, reiterated its opposition to the assassination, calling for resolving disputes through negotiations and dialogue and avoiding further escalation.

Iran, through its president Masoud Pezeshkian, said it would make the “terrorist occupiers” regret their act, noting that Haniyeh’s death would strengthen the link between Tehran, Palestine and the resistance.

Hamas and Iran’s Revolutionary Guards announced Haniyeh’s death in Tehran without providing additional details. Local Palestinian media outlets reported that Haniyeh’s residence was targeted early Wednesday morning, confirming that he was staying at a private residence for war veterans.

Ismail Haniyeh, 62, had been the head of Hamas’ political bureau since 2017, succeeding Khaled Meshaal.

Source: Fas News Media

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