Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran this week, with Iran and Hamas blaming Israel for the operation. The assassination was carried out using an explosive device that was hidden months ago inside the guesthouse where Haniyeh was staying, according to reports.
The assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on Wednesday has sent shockwaves across the region and the world. According to reports, the assassination was carried out using an explosive device that was hidden months ago inside the guesthouse where Haniyeh was staying. The bomb was remotely detonated around 2 a.m. local time on Wednesday, killing Haniyeh and a bodyguard at the compound protected by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps in the northern part of Iran's capital.
Haniyeh was in Tehran for Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's swearing-in on Tuesday. The State Department has not yet commented on the report.
Assassination of Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh: Details and International Reactions
Officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The New York Times that the explosive device was placed in the room where Haniyeh was staying around two months ago and was set off on Wednesday once it was confirmed that he was there. They said Haniyeh had stayed at the guesthouse several times before while visiting Tehran.
Israel has not publicly claimed responsibility for the killing, but Iran and Hamas are blaming the Jewish State for being behind it, according to The Associated Press.
Assassination of Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh: Details and International Reactions
Three Iranian officials separately told The New York Times that the security breach that allowed the explosive device to find its way into the compound where Haniyeh was residing is a massive embarrassment to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.
It's unclear how the bomb allegedly was stashed inside the property.
Assassination of Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh: Details and International Reactions
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, when asked Wednesday about the matter, said he has "seen the reports."
"And what I can tell you is this. First, this is something we were not aware of or involved in," Blinken said. "It’s very hard to speculate, and I’ve learned over many years never to speculate on the impact one event may have on something else. So I can’t tell you what this means.
Assassination of Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh: Details and International Reactions
"I can tell you that the imperative of getting a ceasefire," in Gaza, "the importance that that has for everyone, remains," he also said.
The assassination of Haniyeh is a major development in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. It remains to be seen how the assassination will affect the peace process and the stability of the region.
The international community has condemned the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh. The United Nations Security Council has called for an investigation into the incident. The European Union has expressed its "deep concern" and has called for "restraint and de-escalation." The Arab League has also condemned the assassination and has called for an independent international investigation.
The assassination of Haniyeh has been widely condemned as a violation of international law. The United Nations has stated that "the targeting of civilians is prohibited under international law and that those responsible for such acts must be held accountable." The European Union has also stated that "the deliberate killing of civilians is a war crime."
