Israel has been attributed the responsibility for the strike by the militant group.
According to Mehr, the Iranian news agency, citing a statement from the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), Ismail Haniyeh – leader of Hamas’ political wing and one of his bodyguards were killed in Tehran after their residence was attacked.
While the country’s new president Masoud Pezeshkian was being sworn in, Haniyeh – who is typically located in Qatar – had been present in the Iranian capital.
Israel has been accused by Hamas of being responsible for the death of Haniyeh. The militant group stated that his residence was subjected to a “treacherous attack” on Tuesday morning, leading to the demise of both him and one of his bodyguards, according to Mehr’s report citing Hamas’ statement.
Ongoing investigation into the incident was confirmed by the IRGC.
According to Moussa Abu Marzouk, a top Hamas official as reported by their Al-Aqsa TV channel, the killing of Haniyeh is an act of cowardice that will not be tolerated without repercussions.
According to Reuters, a senior Hamas official named Sami Abu Zuhri stated that the Israeli occupation’s assassination of Brother Haniyeh is a serious escalation intending to diminish Hamas’ determination. He declared that despite this setback, Hamas will keep following its chosen path and remains optimistic about achieving triumph.
Israel committed to removing Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders following the group’s October 7 assault on Israel which resulted in the death of 1,200 individuals while about 250 were taken hostage. In central Gaza earlier this year, Israeli airstrikes killed Haniyeh’s three sons as well as four grandchildren; with military justification they alleged that these family members played a role in “terrorist activities.” Since October alone, roughly sixty of Haniyah’s relatives have purportedly been killed according to his statement at the time.
