Assassination of Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran by Israel

The Hamas movement confirmed that Ismail Haniyeh was killed this morning in an attack in Tehran, attributing the attack to Israel. Turkey condemned the assault strongly. According to Iranian state TV, citing the Revolutionary Guards, Haniyeh, head of Hamas’ Political Bureau, died in a terror attack on his residence in Tehran, along with one of his bodyguards.

The attack occurred around 2 AM at a special residence for war veterans. Iran declared that “Haniyeh’s blood will not be in vain.” Sources close to Hezbollah claimed the strike was carried out with a missile launched from outside Iran, insisting that retaliation is inevitable.

Attending the Inauguration of Iran’s New President

Hamas confirmed Haniyeh was in Tehran for the inauguration of Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian. Haniyeh was killed in an Israeli airstrike on his residence post-ceremony. Hamas denounced the attack as cowardly, promising a response, while Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas also condemned it. Iran’s Security Council and the Revolutionary Guards convened urgently to discuss their response to Israel. Iranian media shared Haniyeh’s last photo taken in Tehran.

Israel’s Reaction

The Israeli army refrained from commenting on the attack, but far-right Israeli Heritage Minister Amichay Eliyahu welcomed Haniyeh’s death, claiming it made the world a better place on social media.