Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated by a hid explosive gadget smuggled into the guesthouse within the Iranian capital the place he was staying, a report claimed on Thursday.
Haniyeh and a bodyguard have been killed Wednesday in a predawn strike on their lodging in Tehran, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps stated, in an assault that has stoked fears of a wider regional battle.
The bomb within the residence was hidden roughly two months in the past, The New York Times, citing seven Middle Eastern officers, together with two Iranians and an American official, stated.
Haniyeh was within the Iranian capital for the inauguration of President Masoud Pezeshkian. The killing has despatched shockwaves world wide and prompted main protests within the area.
Two members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps who have been briefed on the incident stated the explosion rocked the constructing, shattered home windows and triggered a part of an exterior wall to break down.
Iranian officers and Hamas stated Wednesday that Israel was behind the killing, however the Times stated that conclusion was additionally reached by a number of U.S. officers, who the newspaper stated requested anonymity.
Israel has not but claimed duty for the dying of the Hamas chief.
The report, nevertheless, stated Israeli intelligence officers briefed the U.S. and different Western governments on particulars of the operation in its rapid aftermath.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken earlier referred to as on all events within the Middle East to de-escalate tensions and urgently obtain a cease-fire within the Gaza Strip, the place Israel has killed greater than 39,000 Palestinian victims since Oct. 7.
Haniyeh has been Hamas’s lead negotiator in efforts for a truce and hostage launch deal for Gaza.
Source: www.dailysabah.com