Date: August 1, 2024
Thousands gathered in Tehran for the funeral of Ismail Haniyeh, the Hamas political leader who was killed in an airstrike on Wednesday. The ceremony was led by Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and saw a large turnout as mourners paid their respects. Haniyeh’s body is scheduled to be buried in Qatar.
Iranian officials have reportedly claimed that Khamenei has ordered a direct retaliation against Israel for the attack on Iranian soil. The Israeli government has not publicly addressed the assassination but has been engaged in significant military actions in the region. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel has delivered “crushing blows” to its adversaries, including the recent killing of a senior Hezbollah commander in Lebanon. Netanyahu warned of “challenging days” ahead and stressed that Israel is prepared for any scenario.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed concern about the potential for a “dangerous escalation” in hostilities in the Middle East. The death of Haniyeh, a key figure in Hamas and influential in ceasefire negotiations, is expected to significantly impact the region’s dynamics.
The funeral took place shortly after Israel confirmed the death of Mohammed Deif, Hamas’s military chief, in an airstrike on July 13 in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip. Deif was reportedly involved in planning the deadly 7 October attacks in southern Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people. Hamas has yet to officially confirm Deif’s death.
Haniyeh had been in Tehran for the inauguration of Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, and was reportedly staying in a building used during previous visits. Witnesses claimed he was hit directly by a missile.
The unrest in the region follows another recent Israeli military action, where senior Hezbollah leader Fuad Shukr was killed in Beirut. Shukr was allegedly linked to a rocket attack on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights that killed 12 people. Hezbollah has confirmed Shukr’s death but denied any involvement in the Golan Heights attack.
