Israel Killing of Hamas Leader Raises Tensions and Retaliation Threats
Iran’s acting foreign minister, Ali Bagheri, has declared that Israel’s recent assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran was a “strategic mistake” that will have severe repercussions. Speaking in an interview with AFP, Bagheri emphasized that Israel’s actions would lead to significant consequences, accusing the country of attempting to escalate tensions and conflicts beyond its borders.
This statement came shortly after Bagheri attended an extraordinary session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where foreign ministers from 57 member countries convened to discuss the situation. The session resulted in a declaration that held Israel “fully responsible” for Haniyeh’s death, which was described as a “heinous” act.
Although Israel has not publicly commented on the assassination, Iran’s government has vowed to retaliate, adding to the already heightened tensions in the region. Bagheri argued that Israel lacks the strength and capacity to wage war against Iran, asserting that the Zionists are not in a position to initiate a conflict with the Islamic Republic.
Haniyeh, a prominent figure in Hamas, had been living in Qatar and was involved in crucial negotiations aimed at ending the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. The conflict, which began with Hamas’s attacks on southern Israel on October 7, has led to significant casualties on both sides. According to Israeli official figures compiled by AFP, these initial attacks resulted in the deaths of 1,198 people, mostly civilians. In response, Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza, leading to the deaths of at least 39,699 people, according to the health ministry in Gaza, which is run by Hamas. The breakdown between civilian and militant casualties in Gaza has not been provided by the ministry.
Hamas’s Lebanese ally, Hezbollah, has also pledged to retaliate for Haniyeh’s assassination, as well as for the death of its military commander, Fuad Shukr, who was killed in an Israeli strike in Beirut just hours earlier. This dual retaliation promise from both Iran and Hezbollah has intensified concerns about the potential for a broader regional conflict.
The killing of Haniyeh has not only provoked anger in Iran and among Hamas supporters but also raised the stakes in the already volatile Middle East. The region has been on edge since the beginning of the war, with fears that the conflict could spread beyond Gaza and Israel. The involvement of major regional players like Iran and Hezbollah further complicates the situation, as their responses to Haniyeh’s assassination could lead to unpredictable consequences.
In the context of the broader geopolitical landscape, this event underscores the ongoing struggle for power and influence in the Middle East. Israel’s actions, particularly its targeted killings of high-profile figures like Haniyeh and Shukr, are likely aimed at weakening its adversaries. However, such actions also risk provoking retaliatory strikes and escalating tensions to a level that could spiral into a larger conflict.
The OIC’s condemnation of Israel’s actions reflects the widespread outrage among Muslim-majority countries over the killing of Haniyeh. The organization, which represents a significant portion of the global Muslim population, has consistently criticized Israel’s policies and actions in the Palestinian territories. The recent declaration by the OIC signals a unified stance against Israel’s assassination of Haniyeh, further isolating Israel diplomatically in the region.
As the situation continues to develop, the international community will be closely watching how Iran, Hezbollah, and other regional actors respond to Israel’s actions. The potential for further escalation remains high, and the consequences of this “strategic mistake,” as Bagheri described it, could be far-reaching, impacting not only the immediate parties involved but also the broader stability of the Middle East.