Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh killed in Iran, Israel suspected

The militant Palestinian group HAMAS political head Ismail Haniyeh was killed in the Iranian capital of Tehran on 31 July 2024. The Iranian state media, which broke the news, said that  Ismail Haniyeh was killed in an air strike by Israel at his residence in Tehran after he and other Lebanon-based hardline Islamic group Hezbollah leaders attended the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected Iranian President, Dr Masoud Pezeshkian.

Israel has not commented on the accusation of the Iranian media. Israel normally does not own up to the assassinations carried out by its Mossad intelligence agency or the strikes carried out by its Air Force in hostile countries. Recently, Israel carried out an air attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria, on 1 April 2024. in which 13 people were killed, including seven top officers of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. 

Israel has publicly stated many times that it will kill Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders over their attack in Gaza on 7th October 2023, which led to the death of over 1200 Israelis and 240 taken hostage by Hamas. 

Killing to increase tension in the region 

The immediate killing of the Hamas leader Haniyeh could lead to a deadlock in the negotiation being held for a ceasefire in the 10-month-old Gaza conflict and the release of Israeli hostages by Hamas. 

The killing in Iran is seen as a slap in the face of Iran, and Iran's Supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has vowed to avenge his death.

Iran is opposed to Israel and has publicly said that it will destroy the Jewish state and create an independent Palestinian state in place of Israel.

About HAMAS

Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiya (Islamic Resistance Movement) or HAMAS is a radical militant Palestinian group which is committed to armed resistance against Israel and its destruction. It aims to create an Islamic Palestinian state in place of Israel. 

For details about the Israel-Hamas conflict, click 

Nitin Gadkari represents India at the swearing-in ceremony

Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari represented the government of India at Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian's swearing-in ceremony. 

Dr. Masoud Pezeshkian won the presidential election held in Iran on 28 June 2024. The election was held after the death of the incumbent President, Ebrahim Raisi, and foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, in a helicopter crash on 19 May 2024.