Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh: Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Tehran when he arrived for the swearing-in ceremony of Iran’s new President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh: Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Iran’s capital Tehran, which can now be a decisive moment for both countries. Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Tehran when he arrived for the swearing-in ceremony of Iran’s new President Masoud Pezeshkian. Now there is an atmosphere of fear all over the world due to Haniya’s death, the threat of war has arisen. Now what kind of situation can arise between Iran, Hamas and Israel, understand in 8 points.
Since Hamas attacked on 7 October 2023 last year, killing 1,200 Israeli civilians and military personnel and taking about 250 people hostage, the Israeli army has been determined to kill Hamas leaders. So far more than 40,000 people have been killed in it. Haniya was the highest ranking person killed in the Israeli attack so far. Haniya was the head of its political bureau based in Qatar. He was a public face of Hamas. He was negotiating the terms of the hostage release deal and ceasefire, while Yahya Sinwar is the military leader who was responsible for the October 7 attacks. In a statement, Hamas mourned Haniya’s death, saying he was killed at his residence in Tehran after attending the swearing-in ceremony of the new Iranian president. Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters that Haniya’s killing in Iran is a serious matter. Because the attack took place directly in Tehran. Now this will be seen as a big action for both Hamas and Iran. It is also a signal for Israel that Hamas leaders are not safe in Iran and under Iran’s protection. In April this year, Iran and Israel also carried out several missile and drone attacks on each other, since then the tension has reduced, but this murder is likely to increase the hostility further.
Now there is a demand to take revenge for Haniya’s death within Iran and Hamas. Certainly, there will be pressure on the newly-elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. The presidential election campaign was mainly focused on starting talks with the West, but after Haniya’s murder, there will be pressure on Masoud Pezeshkian to respond. Pezeshkian said on Wednesday that Iran will protect its territorial integrity, dignity, honor and pride and will make the terrorist occupiers regret their cowardly act of killing Haniya in Tehran. He is engaged in talks with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on how to respond to this. At the same time, this murder has given a big lifeline to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as he was facing questions after the war with Hamas and his political existence is also at stake. Pressure is mounting on him to finalize the hostage agreement with Hamas, which was being mediated by the US, Egypt and Qatar, among other countries. This murder may spoil all such efforts for the time being and it is expected that this can prolong the war in Gaza. This will mean that Netanyahu will remain in office until the war ends.
The campaign for the US elections to be held in November is now in a decisive phase, as Vice President Kamala Harris is now the likely Democratic candidate. She indicated that she would be more strict towards Netanyahu and the war in Gaza than her Joe Biden. This murder has complicated the situation for him. Now he will have to think and prepare a response, so that he can face it in case of escalation of tension in the region.
This murder is not good news for the world, especially if tensions increase between Iran and Hamas and Israel. This tension will affect the whole of West Asia. Qatar, Turkey and Yemen have already condemned the killing and countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE are closely monitoring the developments. This will be a defining moment in the more than nine-month-long war in Gaza.
India is currently monitoring the entire development. New Delhi does not have any positive feelings about Hamas leaders, but this time it will have to be cautious as the matter involves the killing of another on foreign soil. India’s immediate concern will be peace and stability in the region, which is home to about 9 million Indian expatriates and also supplies about two-thirds of India’s crude oil.
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