Wed, 01 January 2025 10:19:21pm
In a shocking turn of events, Hamas Chief Ismail Haniyeh has been killed in a targeted attack on his residence in Tehran. The Palestinian group confirmed the news, labeling it as a "treacherous Zionist raid." This development has escalated tensions in the region, with investigations underway to uncover more details about the incident.
Ismail Haniyeh, the prominent leader of Hamas, was killed along with one of his bodyguards in a targeted attack on his residence in Tehran, the group announced today. Haniyeh was in the Iranian capital to attend the inauguration of Iran's new president, Masoud Pezeshkian.
The official statement from Hamas described the event as a "treacherous Zionist raid" that took place early Tuesday morning. Iran's Revolutionary Guards confirmed the attack, stating that Haniyeh's residence was hit, resulting in his and his bodyguard's deaths.
Hamas officials have accused Israel of orchestrating the attack, calling it a "grave escalation" intended to weaken the Palestinian resistance. "This assassination by the Israeli occupation of Brother Haniyeh is a grave escalation that aims to break the will of Hamas," stated senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri.
Israeli reactions have been notably pointed, with Minister Amichay Eliyahu posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, that "this is the right way to clean the world from this filth." This comment reflects the long-standing animosity and ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Haniyeh, elected head of the Hamas political bureau in 2017, was considered a pragmatist within the organization. He had been living in exile, primarily splitting his time between Turkey and Qatar, and maintained good relations with various Palestinian factions, including rivals to Hamas.
His diplomatic missions frequently took him to Iran and Turkey, where he met with high-ranking officials, including the presidents of both nations. Haniyeh's death is a significant blow to Hamas, which has been a central part of the "axis of resistance" against Israel, supported by Iran since the 1979 Islamic revolution.
Video Source: X.com
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Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards were killed after his residence was targeted in Tehran.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed in a statement. pic.twitter.com/V8gDMBAV14
The attack on Haniyeh's life follows a vow by Israel to target Hamas leadership after the deadly October 7 attack, which resulted in the deaths of 1,195 people, mostly civilians. In retaliation, Israel's military campaign in Gaza has led to the deaths of at least 39,400 people, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory.
Hamas' response to Haniyeh's assassination will likely further inflame the already volatile situation in the Middle East, as the group seeks to retaliate and bolster its resolve against Israeli actions.