Funeral processions were held in Iran on Thursday for Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh following his death in a strike in Tehran believed to be orchestrated by Israel.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of the Islamic republic, will lead the prayers for Haniyeh before his burial in Doha. Earlier, Khamenei had threatened severe consequences for the killing of Haniyeh.
In the city center of Tehran, crowds of mourners carrying posters of Haniyeh and Palestinian flags gathered at Tehran University on Thursday morning. This was reported by an AFP correspondent.
The Revolutionary Guards of Iran announced the death of Haniyeh on the previous day, stating that he and his bodyguard were killed in a strike on their residence in Tehran at 2:00 am on Wednesday. This incident occurred shortly after Israel targeted and killed Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut, raising concerns about a potential wider regional conflict. Israel has not commented on the Tehran strike.
Following Haniyeh’s death, Khamenei declared that seeking revenge for his blood was their duty, as he was martyred in Iran. Haniyeh was in Tehran for the inauguration of the newly elected President Masoud Pezeshkian two days before the incident.
Iranian President expressed that the Zionists would face consequences for their actions, and Hamas political bureau member Musa Abu Marzuk vowed retaliation for the assassination.
Despite international calls for de-escalation and a focus on ceasefire efforts in Gaza, tensions remain high in the region. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the strikes in Tehran and Beirut as a dangerous escalation and stressed the need for immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the importance of a ceasefire in Gaza as a top priority. White House National Security Council expressed concerns that the recent killings could further escalate regional tensions.
– Truce talks threatened –
Crowds gathered across Iran and the Middle East to protest Haniyeh’s killing, chanting slogans against Israel and America. While Iran blamed Israel for the attack, Israel has not officially commented on the incident. The ongoing conflict in Gaza has already heightened tensions in the region, involving Iran-backed groups from various countries.
Huthi rebels in Yemen announced three days of mourning for Haniyeh, expressing condolences to the Palestinian people and Hamas. Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister spoke with his Iranian counterpart to discuss the recent developments.
The UN Security Council convened an emergency meeting to address the strike, with Iran calling for immediate action to hold those responsible for the violation of international law.
Hamas has been involved in negotiations for a ceasefire and prisoner exchange with Israel, facilitated by Egypt, Qatar, and the US. Analysts believe that Haniyeh’s death may affect the dynamics within Hamas, as he was seen as a moderating influence in the group.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to retaliate against Hamas for the attack that sparked the conflict in Gaza, resulting in significant casualties and hostage-taking. The situation remains tense, with doubts cast on the mediation process following Haniyeh’s assassination.
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