U.S. President Joe Biden stated yesterday (Thursday) that the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, head of the political bureau of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), does not aid in achieving a ceasefire in Israel’s war on Gaza.
The risks of expanding conflict in the Middle East have intensified following Haniyeh’s assassination in Iran, accompanied by a wave of threats of retaliation against Israel.
Hamas and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard confirmed Haniyeh’s death, who was involved in internationally mediated indirect talks to reach a ceasefire in Gaza.
Residents of Gaza fear that Haniyeh’s assassination on Wednesday could prolong the war. Iran explained that the killing occurred hours after Haniyeh participated in the inauguration ceremony of the new Iranian president.
Biden told reporters late on Thursday when asked if Haniyeh’s assassination had hindered chances for a ceasefire agreement: “This (his death) does not help.”
Biden mentioned that he had a direct conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier on Thursday. Netanyahu’s government did not claim responsibility for the attack, but he stated that Israel had delivered crushing blows to Iran’s allies in recent days, including Hamas and the Lebanese group Hezbollah.
Biden also stated that Israel would respond forcefully to any attack. The tension between Israel, Iran, and Hezbollah has raised concerns about the widening of the conflict in an already troubled region.
