Hamas Politburo Chief Killed in Tehran

31.07.2024 09:42

Photo: AP Photo / Vahid Salemi Photo: AP Photo / Vahid Salemi

Hamas politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh was killed in the Iranian capital of Tehran, the Palestinian militant group said in a statement on Wednesday.

The agency said Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards were "martyred" after their residence in Tehran was targeted.

"With condolences to the heroic nation of Palestine, the Islamic nation, the combatants of the Resistance Front, and the noble nation of Iran. This morning (Wednesday), the residence of Mr. Dr. Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the political office of the Islamic Resistance of Hamas, was hit in Tehran; and following this incident, he and one of his bodyguards were martyred," a statement from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) read.


Iran is investigating the causes of the killing of Hamas politburo chief, Ismail Haniyeh, and his bodyguard in Tehran, with the results to be announced soon, the Tasnim news agency reported on Wednesday, citing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Earlier on Wednesday, the Palestinian movement, Hamas, said that Haniyeh was killed in an Israeli attack on his residence in Tehran after he took part in the inauguration of Iran's newly elected president.

The Iranian authorities are investigating the murder of the Hamas politburo chief in Tehran, Tasnim reports, with reference to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps.
The day before, Ismail Haniyeh took part in the inauguration of President Pezeshkian in Tehran. pic.twitter.com/8yZau6D5KS
— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) July 31, 2024


The Palestinian movement, Hamas, said on Wednesday that the movement’s politburo chief, Ismail Haniyeh, was killed in an Israeli attack on his residence in the Iranian capital of Tehran.

"The Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas expresses condolences to the sons of our great Palestinian people ... Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the movement ... was killed as a result of a treacherous Zionist attack on his residence in Tehran after he participated in the inauguration ceremony of the new president of Iran," the movement said on Telegram.

Iran's new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, was sworn in on Tuesday.

International reaction


Israeli army declines to comment on the situation, saying that they “do not respond to reports in the foreign media”, CNN says.

A representative of the US government has confirmed to the media that Washington is aware of the situation.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas strongly condemned the killing of Hamas politburo chief, Ismail Haniyeh, the WAFA news agency reported on Wednesday.

‘Israelis will pay a price’ for Haniyeh’s death’ – pundit
The death of Hamas politburo chief, Ismail Haniyeh, is “a new crime by [an Israeli] regime that's famous for its criminal acts,” Foad Izadi, associate professor at the Department of American Studies, Faculty of World… pic.twitter.com/uyyAv3rGJb
— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) July 31, 2024


Abbas also called the killing a cowardly act and a dangerous escalation, the report read.

At the same time, Abbas called on Palestinians to be united and patient in the face of the Israeli occupation.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that the incident will strengthen the ties between Tehran and Palestine. The Turkish Foreign Ministry stressed that Israel is not seeking peace, and should be stopped before conflict escalates.

The killing of Hamas politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh is a cowardly act that will not go unanswered, Hamas political office deputy head Musa Abu Marzouk said on Wednesday.

"The assassination of leader Ismail Haniyeh is a cowardly act, and it will not go unanswered," Marzouk said, as quoted by the Al-Aqsa broadcaster.

Russia Warns About Further Mideast Escalation


Moscow considers the death of Hamas politburo chief Ismail Haniyeh to be an example of absolutely unacceptable political assassination, which threatens further escalation in the region, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov told Sputnik on Wednesday.

"This is all very wrong. This is an absolutely unacceptable political assassination, and it will lead to further escalation of tensions," Bogdanov said.


The incident will have a very negative impact on the Doha negotiations, the diplomat said.