Iran and Hamas blame Israel for Haniyeh’s death

Reactions are coming in from other countries on the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Russia has condemned his death, calling it a ‘completely unacceptable political murder’. Turkey says the attack will escalate the war in Gaza into a regional conflict. Trent Murray is in Berlin, with an update.

NBC news separately reports that the Palestinian militant group and Iran have alleged that Israel was behind the attack on Haniyeh, who was 62. According to Hamas, Haniyeh was killed in Tehran after attending Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s inauguration. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran confirmed that Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards were killed in the assault on their residence and mentioned that an investigation is underway, as reported by Iranian state media.

Israeli authorities have yet to comment on the situation.

The search for Hamas’ leadership has intensified since their October 7 attack on Israel from the Gaza Strip. In April, three of Haniyeh’s sons were killed in an airstrike in Gaza.

The strike followed a day after the Israeli military announced the killing of Hezbollah leader Fuad Shukr in a Beirut suburb, known as Hezbollah’s headquarters. The Israel Defense Forces claimed Shukr was responsible for an attack in the Golan Heights last week that resulted in 12 deaths, mostly children and teenagers.

These recent attacks reflect the ongoing proxy conflict between Iran and Israel and occur during a sensitive period, with concerns that the Israel-Hamas conflict might extend beyond Gaza.

Moreover, the move is expected to ramp up regional tensions, Hamas has blamed Tel Aviv for his death. Hamas called Haniyeh’s death a ‘cowardly act that will not go unpunished’. Sarah Coates has the latest from Tel Aviv.