JEDDAH: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Wednesday condemned in the strongest terms the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, head of Hamas’ political bureau and former Palestinian prime minister.
In a statement, OIC expressed its sincere condolences to the Palestinian leadership and people, and held the Israeli occupation authorities responsible for this criminal act and the dangerous escalation, which represents an extension of the daily murders committed against the Palestinian people in flagrant violation of all international norms, charters and laws.
The organization also affirmed its firm position towards supporting the Palestinian people in their legitimate struggle to obtain their inalienable national rights of return, freedom, independence and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the borders of the fourth of June 1967 with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital.
On Wednesday, Iranian media reported that Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas, was assassinated in an airstrike while in Tehran for the inauguration of Iran’s new president. The attack reportedly occurred around 2 a.m. local time at a special residence for military veterans in northern Tehran, where Haniyeh was staying.
According to the Fars news agency and other Iranian sources, Haniyeh was targeted by an air-launched missile. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed the incident, stating that Haniyeh and a bodyguard were killed in the strike. The IRGC described the attack as a “hit” on Haniyeh’s residence.
Hamas also confirmed Haniyeh’s death, attributing it to an Israeli strike. The movement’s statement declared that Haniyeh, who had travelled to Tehran for the inauguration of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, was “martyred” by what they termed a “Zionist strike” on his headquarters.
