Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh has been killed in the Iranian capital Tehran, in an assassination that could further destabilize the Middle East and jeopardize Israel-Hamas negotiations.
Here’s the latest:
What happened: At around 2 a.m. local time, Haniyeh was hit by an “airborne guided projectile,” said Iranian state-run outlet IRNA. Haniyeh was in Tehran for the inauguration of the Iranian president and was staying in a residence for veterans, state-affiliated news outlet Fars reported.
What Hamas said: Hamas accused Israel of carrying out the strike, calling it a “grave escalation.” One Hamas official said the group is “ready to pay various prices,” and that the “moment of truth has come.”
What Israel said: Israel’s military said it “doesn’t respond to reports in the foreign media.”
Iran’s response: The assassination is under investigation and the results will be announced later today, Iranian state media reported, citing a statement from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, an elite wing of the Iranian military.
Who was Haniyeh? He has been part of Hamas for decades, in recent years running the militant group’s political operations from exile, and emerging as one of its most visible leaders during the war with Israel in Gaza. He was a key interlocutor with international mediators in hostage and ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas.
Why does this matter? His killing is a significant blow to the Palestinian militant group — and comes at a fraught time for the Middle East, with escalating confrontations between Israel and Hezbollah threatening to expand into a regional war. It also throws into question the future of Israel-Hamas negotiations.
Another major death: Haniyeh’s killing came just hours after Israel said it had killed Hezbollah’s most senior military official, Fu’ad Shukr, in a drone strike in Beirut, Lebanon. The Iran-backed group has not confirmed Shukr’s death, but said he “was present” at the time of the strike.
Source: CNN