DUBAI: The assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran early Wednesday morning sparked a regional and global reaction, raising concerns that the situation will worsen in a region already battered by Israel's war in the Gaza Strip and the worsening conflict in Lebanon.
Hamas says Haniyeh was killed in Israeli strike in Iran as he attended the inauguration of the country's new president
Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guards confirmed Haniyeh's death and said in a statement that “Iran and the resistance coalition will respond to this crime,” using Tehran's term for coalition terrorist groups across the Middle East.
There was no immediate comment from Israel on the attack.
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed revenge against Israel over the killing of Hamas' political leader, saying Israel “prepared severe punishment for itself”.
“We consider his revenge our duty,” he said in a statement on his official website, describing Haniyeh as “a beloved guest in our home.” Iran has also declared three days of mourning following the killing of the Hamas leader.
“The assassination of Brother Haniyeh by the Israeli occupation is another escalation of violence aimed at breaking the will of Hamas,” senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters.
He said Hamas would continue on its current path, adding: “We are confident of victory.”
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the killing of Haniyeh and other Palestinian groups in the occupied West Bank, calling for a general strike and protests.
Russia condemned Haniyeh's killing on Wednesday as an “unacceptable political assassination.”
“This is a completely unacceptable political assassination and will lead to further escalation of tensions,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov told the state-run RIA Novosti news agency.
Konstantin Kosachev, deputy chairman of the Russian Federation Council, said he expected “an abrupt escalation of hostility in the Near East.”
“The most difficult period of confrontation is beginning in this region,” he wrote on Telegram.
China's foreign ministry said in a statement on Haniyeh's death that China opposes and condemns such “assassination” acts.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the “treacherous assassination” in Tehran of his close ally and “brother” Haniyeh.
“May God have mercy on my brother Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in this despicable attack,” Erdogan wrote on social media platform X, condemning the “Zionist atrocities.”
“This shameful act is aimed at undermining the Palestinian cause, the glorious resistance of the Gazans and the just struggle of our Palestinian brothers, and at intimidating the Palestinians,” Erdogan added.
Qatar strongly condemned Haniyeh's assassination, calling it a grave crime, a “dangerous act and a grave violation of international and humanitarian law.”
“Indiscriminate assassinations and attacks on civilians will destabilize the region and undermine any chances for peace,” Qatar’s foreign ministry stressed in a statement.
The Iranian-backed Houthi group in Yemen called Haniya's killing a “serious terrorist crime”.
“Targeting him is a serious terrorist crime and a blatant violation of the law and ideals,” Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, a member of the Houthi political bureau, posted on X.
Egypt says Israel's escalation shows Israel's lack of political will to de-escalate after Haniyeh's killing
The escalating violence, coupled with the lack of progress in ceasefire talks in Gaza, has complicated the situation, said a statement from the Egyptian foreign ministry.
Yemeni rebels have been firing drones and missiles at shipping in the Red Sea since November, claiming they are showing solidarity with Palestinians during the Gaza war.
Lebanon's Hezbollah militant group issued a statement of condolence on Wednesday but did not specifically blame Israel, saying Haniya's killing would make pro-Iranian groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas more committed to confronting Israel.
The White House had no immediate reaction to Haniyeh's killing.
Asked by reporters in Manila about the Tehran attacks, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said he had “no additional information to provide” but expressed hope for a diplomatic solution to the Israeli-Lebanese border.
