Sources from “Al Arabiya” and “Al Hadath” reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has instructed ministers not to make any statements regarding the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in the Iranian capital, Tehran.
The Israeli military announced it is assessing the situation with no changes to the Home Front Command’s directives, amid reports of a complete closure of Israeli northern airspace.
Initial comments following the announcement of Haniyeh’s death came from the Israeli Heritage Minister through posts on “X,” where he stated that “Haniyeh’s death makes the world slightly better.” Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also commented on Haniyeh’s assassination, saying, “We will destroy all our enemies.”
Hamas announced on Wednesday the death of its political bureau chief, Ismail Haniyeh, along with one of his bodyguards, in an Israeli airstrike on his residence in Tehran, following his participation in the inauguration ceremony of Iran’s new president.
A statement from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, published on its website, confirmed that “the residence of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas’ political bureau, was bombed in Tehran,” resulting in his death and that of his bodyguard.
The Revolutionary Guard stated that an investigation into the incident is underway.
Following the announcement of Haniyeh’s death, Hamas political bureau member Mousa Abu Marzook condemned the assassination as a “cowardly act that will not go unpunished.”
Haniyeh had arrived in Tehran on Tuesday to attend the inauguration of the new Iranian President, Masoud Bezhkian, in the Shura Council.
During his visit, Haniyeh met with Bezhkian and Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
