The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) announced this morning the assassination of its political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in the Iranian capital, Tehran.
Hamas stated in a statement that the head of Hamas "was martyred in a cowardly Zionist raid on his residence in Tehran."
In another statement, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard said, "We are investigating the dimensions of the incident of Haniyeh's martyrdom in Tehran" and will announce the results of the investigation later.
The Iranian news agency reported that Ismail Haniyeh and one of his personal guards were martyred after their residence in Tehran was targeted.
The Iranian Tasnim agency reported that the investigation into the assassination of the head of Hamas's political bureau is ongoing and the results will be announced soon.
Haniyeh was in Tehran for the inauguration ceremony of the Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.
Shocked Reactions everywhere
Reactions poured in regarding the assassination of Hamas's political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh today in the Iranian capital, with Hamas affirming that they are engaged in an open war and that the assassination of Haniyeh will not achieve its goals, while Israeli parties welcomed the operation.
Taher Nuno, Haniyeh's media advisor, stated that what happened was a "direct targeting and deliberate assassination," and mentioned in an interview with Al-Jazeera that the Iranian authorities will announce the details of the operation.
Dangerous Escalation
Hamas leader Sami Abu Zuhri confirmed that the movement is "engaged in an open war to liberate Jerusalem and ready to pay the price," and considered Haniyeh's assassination as a "dangerous escalation that will not achieve its goals."
Cowardly Act that Will not Go in Vain
On the other hand, Hamas Political Bureau member Musa Abu Marzouk described Haniyeh's assassination as a "cowardly act that will not go in vain."
The Islamic Jihad: Great National Leader
The Islamic Jihad Movement mourned the "great national leader" and affirmed that the assassination will not deter the Palestinian people from continuing the resistance.
General Strike in the West Bank
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the assassination of Haniyeh and considered it a "cowardly act and a dangerous development," while the Secretary-General of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, Hussein Sheikh, described the assassination as a "cowardly act that calls for more steadfastness in the face of occupation."
On the other hand, the national and Islamic factions in Palestine called for a general strike and massive protests in condemnation of the assassination of the head of the political bureau of Hamas.
Tehran Response
In Tehran, the Supreme National Security Council met at the headquarters of the Supreme Leader in the presence of senior leaders of the Revolutionary Guards in the early hours of Wednesday morning to discuss the assassination of Haniyeh. Reuters reported that the highest security body in Iran will decide on Iran's strategy in responding to the operation.
The Iranian Tasnim news agency reported that the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of the Parliament will hold a meeting regarding the assassination of Haniyeh.
The spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Nasser Kanaani, confirmed that the relevant authorities are still investigating the dimensions and details of Ismail Haniyeh's assassination, saying that "the blood of the jihadist fighter for liberation from the clutches of the Zionist occupiers will never be wasted," adding "Haniyeh's martyrdom in Tehran will strengthen and deepen the close relationship between Tehran and Palestine and the resistance."
Turkey condemns the Cowardly Assassination
In turn, the Turkish Foreign Ministry expressed its condemnation of Haniyeh's assassination and described what happened in Tehran as a "despicable assassination operation" aimed at "expanding the scope of the war from Gaza to the regional level," showing that "the Netanyahu government has no intention of achieving peace."
Russi: An Absolutely Unacceptable Political Crime
The Russian Foreign Ministry considered the assassination of the head of Hamas's political bureau "an absolutely unacceptable political crime," with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov stating, "This is an absolutely unacceptable political murder that will lead to further escalation in tensions."
A Heinous Terrorist Crime
On the other hand, the Houthi group said that the assassination of Haniyeh is "a heinous terrorist crime and a blatant violation of international law."
First Israeli statement
While the newspaper "Israel Today" reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office instructed ministers not to comment on the assassination of Haniyeh in Tehran, Minister of Heritage Ayelet Shaked made the first Israeli statement on the operation, stating that "Haniyeh's death makes the world a little better."
Source: Agencies
