Join on WhatsApp
Join on Telegram
Rabat – Israel’s assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, in Tehran has sent shockwaves across the Middle East, with the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ military wing, warning of “enormous consequences” in the region.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Brigades attributed Haniyeh’s death to Israel, declaring, “This assassination escalates the war to a new level and will have enormous consequences for the entire region.”
The group remains in active combat with the Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip since the war began on October 7.
The assassination of Haniyeh marks a significant escalation in the war, coming just hours after Israel killed Fouad Chokr, the military chief of Hezbollah, in a strike on the southern suburbs of Beirut.
Haniyeh was killed in an IOF airstrike in Tehran while attending the swearing-in ceremony of Iran’s new president, Massoud Pezeshkian.
Haniyeh, a prominent figure in Hamas since 1987, rose to prominence in 2006 when he became Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority after Hamas’ unexpected legislative victory.
He was elected head of Hamas’ political bureau in 2017, succeeding Khaled Meshaal, and had been living in self-imposed exile in Qatar.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas quickly condemned the “cowardly assassination” of Haniyeh, while Moussa Abu Marzouk, a senior member of Hamas’ political bureau, vowed that the “cowardly act will not go unanswered.”
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, also promised a “severe punishment” to Israel for the assassination.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan joined the chorus of condemnation, describing the killing as a “treacherous assassination” of his “brother” Ismail Haniyeh.
The killing of Haniyeh leaves a significant power vacuum within Hamas, raising questions about who will assume leadership. While several senior members of Hamas are potential candidates, the group’s future direction remains uncertain.
The assassination has undoubtedly heightened tensions in the region, with all eyes now on the potential repercussions and the next moves of the involved parties.
