Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed during a raid at his residence in Tehran, according to Hamas and the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. Haniyeh, who was attending the inauguration ceremony of the new Iranian president, was assassinated along with one of his bodyguards. The cause of the attack is currently under investigation. Haniyeh, known for his tough rhetoric, was the top leader of Hamas in Gaza since 2017 and in charge of the group’s international relations.
Hamas blamed Israel for the raid, but the Israeli Defense Forces declined to comment on Haniyeh’s death. The attack comes as Israel continues its conflict against Hamas in Gaza nearly 10 months after a previous attack by the group. The Israel Defense Forces also claimed responsibility for an airstrike in Beirut that killed a senior Hezbollah commander responsible for a recent rocket attack in the Golan Heights that killed 12 children and teenagers.
The circumstances surrounding Haniyeh’s death are still unclear, and investigations are ongoing. The killing of such a prominent figure in Hamas has raised tensions in the region, with potential implications for ongoing conflicts between Israel and Palestinian militant groups. The situation remains fluid and developments are being closely monitored by relevant parties.
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