War fear stirs Middle East following Hamas leader Haniyeh assassination

Kathmandu, 21 July: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed revenge over the assassination of Hamas leader in Teheran.

“You killed our dear guest in our house and now have paved the way for your harsh punishment,” Ayatollah said, referring to Israel as quoted in CNN.

Ismail Haniyeh, politburo Chief of Hamas in Teheran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was reportedly killed at his residence together with one of his bodyguards on Wednesday.

‘Haniyeh has been part of Hamas for decades, in recent years running the militant group’s political operations from exile. He was a key interlocutor in the Gaza ceasefire and hostage negotiations, mentioned CNN.

‘Israel has neither confirmed nor denied being behind the Haniyeh assassination, however, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said on Wednesday that Israel did not seek war but was preparing for all possibilities’, it added.

Hours prior to Haniyeh death, Hezbollah’s most senior military commander Fuad Shukr had been killed in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, for which Israel has claimed responsibility.

Meanwhile, a Hamas official called the assassination a “grave escalation” and said that it would not achieve its goals, said CGTN quoting Reuters report.