WANA (August 05) – Following the assassination of Hamas’ political leader in Tehran, hundreds gathered at a mosque in Qatar on Friday for the funeral of Ismail Haniyeh. This attack has placed Israel at the center of accusations and heightened concerns about a regional war.

 

The reception for Haniyeh in Qatar was also unprecedented. Sunni mourners, particularly Wahhabis, lined up at the Imam Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab Mosque, the largest mosque in the emirate. Others prayed outside the mosque in 44-degree Celsius heat.

 

The Emir of Qatar personally attended the mosque and, following a Wahhabi scholar, prayed over Ismail Haniyeh. Khaled Mashal, a prominent Hamas leader and potential successor to Haniyeh, was also present. This was significant as it showed that sectarian differences were not a barrier to political consensus on the Palestinian issue, given that the Supreme Leader of Iran had also prayed over Haniyeh in Tehran hours earlier.

The Emir of Qatar attended the mosque and, prayed over Ismail Haniyeh. 02 August 2024. Social Media / WANA News Agency

The Emir of Qatar attended the mosque and, prayed over Ismail Haniyeh. 02 August 2024. Social Media / WANA News Agency

With the possibility of a military attack by Iran on Israel officially communicated to the United Nations, the Arab and NATO coalition’s stance on defending Israel under security pacts is being analyzed. Daniel Hagari, the Israeli army spokesman, announced on Thursday that the country’s international partners have increased their forces in the region to help counter Iranian threats.

 

Phone calls between allied leaders and Israel occurred while Israeli TV reported efforts to form a regional and international coalition to neutralize potential Iranian and Hezbollah responses to the assassination of Haniyeh and Fuad Shukr. In this context, Israel and the US are seeking to form an immediate regional coalition to counter Iranian attacks.

 

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant met with British Defense Secretary John Healy on Friday to discuss defense relations between the two countries and their shared commitment to strengthening strategic and military cooperation. Gallant appreciated Britain’s support for Israel’s right to defense.

 

Britain was one of the countries that helped defend Israel during the Iranian missile attack in April. The establishment of a NATO office in Jordan was also a result of this cooperation, playing a crucial role in stabilizing regional security. Experts believe this cooperation has strengthened Jordan’s role in achieving regional and international stability.

 

People hold posters of Palestinian group Hamas' top leader Ismail Haniyeh, during an anti-Israel gathering following the killing of him, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Tehran, Iran July 31, 2024. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

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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The NATO Secretary-General also stated that the NATO liaison office in Amman would elevate bilateral cooperation to a new level. This office will enhance continuous communication between Jordan and NATO, playing an effective role in intelligence and operational coordination during crises.

 

It appears that the establishment of this office is also part of the US-Saudi defense cooperation, activating NATO’s defense shield to protect Arabs against potential Iranian attacks. Arab cooperation with NATO in defending Israel has become a real test of these countries’ coordination with NATO.

 

Israeli analysts believe that mobilizing the regional and international coalition, which helped Israel four months ago, has now become more challenging. The US has also deployed over 58,000 troops to its Arab bases.

 

Meanwhile, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs, discussed diplomatic efforts to counter regional tensions with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Unlike Morocco, Bahrain, and the UAE, these countries did not issue condolences for Haniyeh, indicating their resolve to assist NATO in countering Iranian attacks.