Tehran: Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed to take revenge from Israel for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniya. Khamenei said that after the killing of Ismail Haniya in an early morning airstrike in Iran’s capital Tehran, Israel has “prepared a harsh punishment for itself.” He said in a statement on his official website, “It is our duty to take revenge for him. Haniya was a dear guest on our land. Not only this, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has strongly condemned the killing of Hamas leader Haniya in Tehran. Pezeshkian said in a post on the social media platform ‘X’ that his country will protect its territorial integrity and give such a reply to those responsible (for Haniya’s death) that they will regret their actions. Hamas has blamed Israel for the killing of Haniya. Israel has not yet given any reaction in the case.
Investigation continues
Iran’s paramilitary force ‘Revolutionary Guard’ said that it is investigating the murder of Haniya. It did not tell how the murder happened and who killed Haniya. At present, no one has taken responsibility for the murder, but suspicion is on Israel. Palestine President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank condemned the murder of Haniya and called it a “cowardly act and dangerous incident”.
‘Declared a martyr’
Hamas said that Haniya was in Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian along with other officials of the organization, Hezbollah and other officials of allied groups. Hamas said in a statement, “Hamas declares brother Ismail Haniyya a martyr for the great people of Palestine and the people of Arab and Islamic countries and all free people around the world.”
Terrorist attack took place in Israel
It is worth noting that the top leader of Hamas in Gaza is Yehya Sinwar, who had plotted the attack on Israel on October 7 last year. 1,200 people were killed in this attack and about 250 people were taken hostage. Haniya’s three sons and four grandchildren were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza in April. Haniya’s murder has happened at a time when the administration of US President Joe Biden is trying to persuade Hamas and Israel to agree on a temporary ceasefire and release of hostages.
