WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden has said that the killing of Hamas’ leader Ismail Haniyeh was not helpful for reaching a truce in Israel’s war in the Gaza Strip.
AFP reported that there has been an increased risk of an escalation into a broader regional war following the assassination of Haniyeh in Tehran, Iran drew threats of retaliation against Israel.
Hamas confirmed the death of Ismail Haniyeh, who had participated in internationally-brokered indirect dialogues on reaching a truce in the Gaza Strip. Anxious people in Israeli-besieged Gaza expressed fear that Haniyeh’s assassination on Wednesday would prolong the war between Israel and people of Palestine.
“It doesn’t help,” President Biden told media persons late on Thursday, when asked if Ismail Haniyeh’s assassination ruined the chances for a truce deal.
Israel’s tensions with Tehran and Hezbollah have fanned fears of a widened conflict in a region already on edge amid Israel’s brutal offensive on Gaza which had killed tens of thousands of innocent people and caused a wide humanitarian crisis.
According to the Gaza health ministry since October 8, Israel’s military attack on Gaza has killed more than 40,000 Palestinians including women and children while also displacing about the entire population of 2.3 million, causing a hunger crisis and leading to genocide allegations.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Orders to Attack Israel: NYT
Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has issued directives Iran to strike Israel directly, in retaliation for the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, New York Times reported, quoting three Iranian officials, briefed on the order, including two personnel of the Revolutionary Guards.
The Iranian leader gave the order at an emergency meeting of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council on Wednesday morning, shortly following Iranian officials announced that Ismail Haniyeh had been assassinated in Tehran.
Many countries including Pakistan, Turkey, Qatar, China, Russia, Egypt and Jordan strongly condemned the assassination of Hamas leader in Theran, Iran.
Pakistan, Turkey Announce a Day of mourning to Express Solidarity with Palestinians
Pakistan and Turkey have announced a day of mourning today in honour of Ismail Haniyeh and to express solidarity with the people of Palestine, while Hamas has called for a “day of furious rage” to coincide with the burial of their leader.
