Hamas Leader’s Funeral Amid Calls for Revenge
WANA (Aug 01) – A guest of the Islamic Republic of Iran, who was assassinated by a Mossad hit squad yesterday, was buried today in Tehran. The Supreme Leader of Iran led the prayer over the body of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.
The ceremony was held in the presence of high-ranking Islamic Republic officials and a significant turnout. The large number of Tehran residents who took to the streets to bid farewell to a foreign fighter was astonishing.
Qalibaf, the Speaker of the Parliament, as the ceremony’s speaker, stated that “the crimes of the Zionist regime stem from its helplessness in the face of resistance fighters.” A Hamas representative attending the ceremony referred to Haniyeh as the commander of the Al-Aqsa Storm operations. “By committing this crime, the Zionist regime has proven to everyone that it is the epitome of atrocity,” the Hamas representative said.
This appears to be the first time the Supreme Leader of Iran has led a prayer for the body of a non-Iranian fighter. The relationship between Ayatollah Khamenei and Haniyeh was emotional and respectful, as was evident in their last meeting.
For decades, Iran has been the main supporter of Hamas and other resistance forces in Palestine. Tehran considers Israel the main enemy of the Islamic world and has never hidden or denied its support for these military forces.
Iranians attend the funeral procession of assassinated Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, Iran, August 1, 2024. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)
Ismail Haniyeh, who had repeatedly visited Tehran in recent months, perhaps never thought he would be assassinated in this manner. Iran claims to be a safe, cohesive, and stable country, and Israel’s aim in this assassination was to tarnish these three beliefs.
A political analyst on Iranian national television announced last night that “Martyr Haniyeh and his guard were using a non-Iranian phone line from one of the countries, which provides security issues such as pinpointing locations.” This means that the Mossad hit team was able to track and assassinate Ismail Haniyeh this way.
No images of the assassination site have been published yet, and no related officials have made technical comments on the matter. The Revolutionary Guards quickly announced the assassination and death of Ismail Haniyeh but have not yet released details of the incident.
Tehran has been vocally calling for revenge against Israel since yesterday. Baqeri, the acting Foreign Minister, called this terrorist act a violation of Iran’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. “Iran will not give up its inherent right to retaliate against the criminal Zionists,” Baqeri said in a call with his Egyptian counterpart.
Iranians attend the funeral procession of assassinated Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, Iran, August 1, 2024. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)
Dr Iravani, Iran’s representative to the Security Council, described the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh as indicative of the “barbaric and terrorist nature” of the Zionists. In an emergency meeting held to follow up on Haniyeh’s assassination, he declared, “The Iranian people cannot remain silent in the face of such a crime and must hold those responsible accountable.” He emphasized that “Iran reserves the right to respond to the Zionist regime.”
The important question is, what will be Iran’s response to this Israeli action? Tehran, by buying time, is likely seeking greater coordination with other resistance forces to deliver a significant blow to Israel.
The motivation for an attack that could cripple Tel Aviv exists both in Hezbollah in Lebanon and in resistance forces in Yemen, Syria, Hamas, Iraq, and Iran. Can Israel survive this time?
Tehran in Shock: The Assassination of Haniyeh and Its Security and Political Implications
WANA (July 31) – It is said that at 2 a.m. last night, Iranian time, just as the city was asleep, an assassination took place in Tehran. Soon, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), responsible for the protection of key figures, announced in the media that Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the political bureau […]
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