Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has led the funeral prayers at a memorial for Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh at Tehran University in the Iranian capital, as reported by state-run Press TV.
Following the prayers, the procession will move towards Azadi (Freedom) Square, and Haniyeh’s body will be flown to Doha for burial. In Doha, the funeral prayers would be held at Imam Muhammad Bin Abdul Wahab Mosque after the Friday prayers.
The funeral prayers were attended by important government officials of Iran. Speaker of the Iranian parliament Muhammad Baqir Ghalib said Haniyeh was the voice of the Palestinian people all over the world.
Haniyeh was assassinated at his residence in Tehran on Wednesday, with Hamas accusing Israel of the attack. Khalil al-Hayya, the deputy head of Hamas in Gaza, spoke at the funeral.
“The nation today is carrying his coffin, and the nation today is raising the flag of jihad and resistance towards the goal of liberating Palestine and Jerusalem,” al-Hayya said. “With the faith of our country, and the Palestinian soul, we are sure that the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh will bring anger towards this Zionist entity from the entire people of the world.”
Foad Izadi, an associate professor at Tehran University, highlighted the significance of the assassination occurring in Tehran, suggesting it could provoke a strong response from Iran. “When you have a high-ranking official assassinated in the capital city, this is a shock,” Izadi told Al Jazeera.
Izadi noted that Iran is honouring Haniyeh with significant reverence, the same treatment given to the late Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi.
Meanwhile, John Kirby, the US national security adviser, stated that Washington remains undeterred by increasing tensions in the Middle East following Haniyeh's assassination. Despite the volatile situation, Kirby emphasized that the US continues its efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza.
Kirby highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the impact of the incident in Tehran on the broader Middle East and the ongoing peace efforts.
“It is too early to say how much the incident in Tehran will affect the Middle East or what effect it will have on efforts to end the war,” Kirby remarked. He noted that US President Joe Biden has been briefed on the situation but refrained from attributing responsibility for Haniyeh’s murder to any party.
“Can't say anything yet whether Ismail Haniyeh's murder is Israel's work or not,” he added.
Furthermore, Kirby disclosed that no one has yet been questioned about the attack. In light of the heightened tensions, the White House National Security Council reaffirmed its commitment to reducing hostilities in the region.
“Efforts are being made to reduce tensions in the region,” stated the council.
The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, a prominent Hamas leader, has added another layer of complexity to the already tense geopolitical landscape in the Middle East. As nations and factions navigate the fallout, the U.S. remains focused on its diplomatic mission to secure peace and stability in the region.
Republican Senator Markoin Mullin has said in a statement on the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh that like the way the US defended itself by chasing Osama bin Laden in Pakistan after 9/11, Israel had the right to defend itself after October 7, 2023.
"Israel's opponents are everywhere. They should have the right to pursue them."
On the other hand, Hamas has declared its intent to seek retribution for the martyrdom of its leader, Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in Tehran, Iran.
Speaking at a press conference in Tehran, Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya emphasized Haniyeh’s dedication to religion and country throughout his life.
Hayya described Ismail Haniyeh’s life as one of hardship, often lived in adverse conditions across various countries. He firmly stated that Hamas would not leave China without addressing Haniyeh’s martyrdom.
He clarified that Haniyeh was in a secret location in Iran and was not isolated from his people. He dismissed claims of an intelligence success behind Haniyeh’s assassination, describing the event as a targeted missile strike.
The Hamas leader dismissed claims that Haniyeh’s death represents an intelligence success, asserting instead that it resulted from a missile attack. The missile reportedly broke a window before hitting Haniyeh directly, and the full details of the investigation are still pending.
Hayya accused Israel of escalating regional tensions and endangering global stability by continuing its military aggression. He asserted that Israel is uninterested in peace agreements or deals, preferring to perpetuate conflict instead.
