Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in the early hours of the morning in Iran, the Palestinian militant group announced on Wednesday, heightening concerns of a broader escalation in a region already shaken by Israel’s war in Gaza and a worsening conflict in Lebanon.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards confirmed Haniyeh’s death, hours after he attended a swearing-in ceremony for the country’s new president, and stated they were investigating the incident. Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned the assassination, vowing to “defend its territorial integrity, dignity, honor, and pride, and will make the terrorist occupiers regret their cowardly act” of killing Haniyeh, according to Iranian media.

There was no immediate comment from Israel, while the Israeli military noted it was conducting a situational assessment without issuing new security guidelines. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was expected to meet with security officials for consultations at midday.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed a desire to ease tensions but affirmed the United States’ commitment to defend Israel if attacked. “I don’t think war is inevitable. I maintain that. I think there’s always room and opportunities for diplomacy,” Austin told reporters during a visit to the Philippines.

The news, coming less than 24 hours after Israel claimed to have killed a Hezbollah commander responsible for a deadly strike in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, dims the prospects of an imminent ceasefire agreement in Gaza. “This assassination by the Israeli occupation of Brother Haniyeh is a grave escalation that aims to break the will of Hamas,” senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters, asserting that Hamas would continue its path with confidence in victory.

Qatar, a mediator in Gaza ceasefire talks, condemned Haniyeh’s killing as a dangerous escalation. China and Russia also condemned the assassination. Meanwhile, Iran’s top security body convened to determine the country’s response to the death of Haniyeh, a close ally of Tehran, in the Iranian capital.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the assassination, and Palestinian factions in the occupied West Bank called for a general strike and mass demonstrations. The killing of Haniyeh occurs as Israel’s campaign in Gaza nears its 10th month, with no end in sight and a growing threat of broader regional conflict.

The situation is further complicated by mounting international pressure for a ceasefire and the families of Israeli hostages held in Gaza expressing anger at Netanyahu’s government. Meanwhile, the risk of war between Israel and Hezbollah has increased following a deadly strike in a Druze village and the subsequent killing of senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr. Although Hezbollah has not confirmed Shukr’s death, they stated he was present in the targeted building.

Haniyeh, who was typically based in Qatar, had been a prominent figure in the Palestinian group’s international diplomacy. His assassination follows the earlier killing of his deputy, Saleh Al-Arouri, by Israel, leaving key Hamas figures Yehya Al-Sinwar and Zaher Jabarin in hiding. Khaled Meshaal, a former Hamas chief, has emerged as a potential successor, but the leadership succession remains unclear.

The war, initiated on Oct. 7 when Hamas-led fighters breached Gaza’s security barriers and launched an attack on nearby Israeli communities, resulted in 1,200 deaths and around 250 hostages being taken, according to Israeli figures. In retaliation, Israel launched a significant ground and air offensive in Gaza, which has killed more than 39,400 people, according to Gaza health officials, and has left over 2 million people facing a severe humanitarian crisis.

(Adapted from CNN.com)

Categories: Geopolitics, Uncategorized