International reactions to Ismail Haniyeh’s assassination
Palestinian group Hamas' top leader, Ismail Haniyeh meets with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi (not pictured) in Tehran, Iran March 27, 2024. (Iran's Presidency/Reuters Photo)
The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas’ political bureau, along with a member of his bodyguard, has prompted responses from Türkiye and various other countries.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the act, calling it “heinous” and posing a serious threat to regional peace. If the international community does not act to stop Israel, the Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a warning that much larger conflicts will arise in the region.
Russia reacts
Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov declared, “This is an absolutely unacceptable political murder and it will lead to further escalation of tensions.”
Yemen’s Houthis denounce attack
Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, the leader of the Supreme Revolutionary Committee of the Iran-backed Yemeni Houthi group, also strongly denounced Haniyeh’s assassination.
“Targeting Ismail Haniyeh is a heinous terrorist crime and a blatant violation of laws and moral values,” al-Houthi said.
On Haniyeh’s death, Houthi spokesman Yahya Saraee said, “We are determined to stand with Hamas and all resistance groups against the American-backed Zionists. We will hold the Zionists to account for this.”
In addition, Yemen declared three days of mourning and flags were lowered to half-mast due to the death of Haniyeh.
Palestinian Authority
President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority denounced the Israeli attack that led to Haniyeh’s death and promised that his death would not be “in vain.”
China’s reaction
The Chinese Foreign Ministry condemned Haniyeh’s assassination, saying the incident could lead to further regional instability.
Qatar condemns assassination
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning the assassination, saying that it would plunge the region into chaos and undermine the chances for peace.
Iran vows retaliation after Haniyeh assassination
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has vowed to make “occupying terrorists” regret their actions following the assassination of Haniyeh in Tehran.
In a statement on social media, Pezeshkian declared, “Iran mourns for the Martyr of Jerusalem, Ismail Haniyeh.”
Describing Haniyeh as a “brave companion of the Palestinian resistance,” Pezeshkian emphasized that the bond between Iran and Palestine will grow stronger, and the resistance of the oppressed will be defended more robustly than ever. He also stated that the attack targeted Iran’s territorial integrity, asserting that Iran would defend its sovereignty and make the aggressors regret their actions.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei made a statement on the assassination of Hamas Political Bureau Head Ismail Haniyeh.
Khamenei said, “The brave Palestinian mujahid leader Ismail Haniyeh passed away last night at dawn. The great resistance front is in mourning. The criminal and terrorist Zionist regime martyred our beloved guest in our home and left us in mourning, but at the same time prepared the ground for a harsh punishment for itself. Haniyeh was ready for martyrdom for many years in his honorable struggle, losing his children and his people for this cause. He was not afraid of martyrdom in the way of Allah and saving the servants of Allah, but in this painful and tragic event that took place on the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran, we consider it our duty to avenge the blood of Haniyeh.”
“Iran has no intention of escalating the conflict,” Iranian presidential officials said in a statement.
Following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas, Iran has declared 3 days of official mourning and lies a red flag of retaliation over the dome of the Jamkaran Mosque.
Taliban expresses condolences over Haniyeh’s death
Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesman for the interim government of Afghanistan, said in a statement to the press, “We learned with deep sorrow the news of the martyrdom of Dr. Ismail Heniyye, the political leader of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), who was killed in an attack in Tehran last night.”
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