The political leader of the Palestinian terror group, Hamas, has been killed in an air strike suspected to have been carried by Israel in the Iranian capital in Tehran.
The killing came weeks after Iran, in its much advertised support for Hamas in the ongoing war between the group and Israel, sent volleys of missiles to hit Israel in the hope of destroying the Jewish State.
Although most of the missiles were intercepted while those that landed couldn’t cause much damage, in a fitting demonstration of the superiority of Israeli and its American and other Western allies’ military technology over Iran’s, the attempt was a witting violation of the territorial integrity of Israel, which was bound to be retaliated one way or the other and someday soon.
Hamas said Haniyeh was killed in an Israeli air strike in the Iranian capital Tehran earlier today (Wednesday, July 31) describing it as a “severe escalation” that several foreign ministries said risks further regional hostilities.
The Palestinian group said in a statement that Haniyeh, who lived in exile, was killed after a “treacherous Zionist” attack on his residence.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps also confirmed Haniyeh’s death, hours after he attended a swearing-in ceremony for the country’s new president Masoud Pezeshkian.
“Haniyeh’s martyrdom in Tehran will strengthen the deep and unbreakable bond between Tehran, Palestine, and the resistance,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani was quoted as saying.
It was the second high-profile assassination to be attributed to Israel in a matter of hours, after a strike in Beirut killed a senior Hezbollah commander, heightening fears that the region was sliding towards a full-blown war.
Hamas has had a profound impact on Israel, primarily through its ongoing conflict and acts of terrorism, including rocket attacks, suicide bombings, and cross-border infiltrations.
These actions have resulted in significant loss of life, injuries, and psychological trauma for Israeli civilians.
The persistent threat of Hamas has also led to substantial security measures by Israel, including military operations, airstrikes, and the construction of the Gaza barrier.
This ongoing conflict has further exacerbated humanitarian crises in Gaza, strained Israel’s international relations, and perpetuated the cycle of violence and instability in the region.
