Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh killed in Iran, dozens in Gaza

Hamas said its political chief Ismail Haniyeh was killed in “a treacherous Zionist raid on his residence in Tehran”. Iran’s president vows to make Israel ‘regret cowardly action’, as Supreme Leader Khamenei says avenging Haniyeh’s killing is Tehran’s duty.
There was no immediate comment from Israel. The Israeli military said it was conducting a situational assessment.
Despite the lack of official confirmation by Israeli authorities, the Israeli government press office posted a photo on its Facebook page of Ismail Haniyeh with “Eliminated” written across his head.

“Eliminated: Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas highest-ranking leader was killed in a precise strike in Tehran, Iran,” it said in a Facebook post.

The post – visible for more than an hour – was removed earlier this morning. Israel has not officially commented on the Hamas leader’s killing.
‘Zionist state terrorism and its war of extermination’
Palestinian political groups called for unity and a general strike to protest against the killing of Ismail Haniyeh in Iran.

“The national and Islamic factions in Palestine announce a comprehensive strike and anger marches to [protest] the assassination of the great national leader Ismail Haniyeh, which came in the framework of Zionist state terrorism and its war of extermination,” the Palestinian factions in the occupied West Bank said in a joint statement.

In an unusual display of solidarity with his main political rival, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas called for a day of mourning for the man he named prime minister in 2006 and dismissed in 2007. Flags are to be flown at half-staff.

The prime minister’s office in Ramallah condemned “the treacherous assassination” of Haniyeh, and called on Palestinians to remain united “in the face of the [Israeli] occupation”.

Shops closed and employees left work in several cities in the occupied West Bank, while cultural institutions announced they would remain closed.
Israeli ships in regional waters may be targets
Asked whether Iran will target Israeli interests, Al Jazeera’s Omar Hawwash, reporting from Tehran, says it is known that Israel has ships near the Gulf, the Oman Sea and the Arabian Sea.

“These are all areas that Iran can get its hands on in case Iran decides to directly target Israel as a response to the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh,” Hawwash said.

He said an Iranian response is expected in the coming days or weeks.

“Masoud Pezeshkian also affirmed that Iran will defend its honour, dignity and its national authority. This can be read that this is part of the upcoming Iranian response to the assassination, especially since the supreme leader mentioned a direct response,” he said.
In case you’re just joining us
Following the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, here’s a recap of the latest developments:

Haniyeh’s funeral will be held in Tehran on Thursday at 8am local time before his body is transferred to the Qatari capital of Doha for burial on Friday.
Israel will face “a harsh and painful response” from Iran and its allies for the assassination, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps promised in a statement.
The prime minister of Qatar, who has acted as a mediator in ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas, questioned the chances for negotiations to succeed following Haniyeh’s murder.
The Israeli military has so far declined to comment on the killing.
A number of countries – including Turkey, Pakistan, Egypt, Russia and China – condemned the assassination.
Meanwhile, in Gaza, Israel’s military has kept up its relentless attacks, bombing and shelling al-Mawasi and Abasan al-Kabira in the south and Gaza City and Jabalia in the north.