Hamas’ high chief, Ismail Haniyeh, was killed by an explosive system smuggled into the Tehran guesthouse the place he was staying, the New York Instances (NYT) reported, citing officers. The bomb had been hidden for about two months earlier than his keep.
Haniyeh had traveled to the Iranian capital to attend the inauguration of President Masoud Pezeshkian. He stayed at a guesthouse run and guarded by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in an upmarket neighborhood in northern Tehran. He had stayed on the guesthouse typically throughout his visits to Tehran.
Authorities advised the NYT that the bomb was detonated remotely as soon as it was confirmed to be inside his room on the guesthouse, killing him and a bodyguard. The explosion shook the constructing, shattering some home windows and inflicting an exterior wall to partially collapse.
Instantly afterward, hypothesis centered on the opportunity of an Israeli missile assault, however the operation was thwarted by a safety breach that allowed the bomb to be planted and stay hidden for weeks.
Though Israel has not publicly claimed accountability for the assassination, the NYT reported that Israeli intelligence officers briefed the USA and different Western governments on particulars of the operation.
Nevertheless, the USA denied having obtained advance information of the assassination plot, in keeping with Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
A public funeral ceremony for Haniyeh was held in Tehran on Thursday, with crowds of mourners turning out to pay their respects. Iran’s Supreme Chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei led prayers for Haniyeh, having beforehand threatened “harsh punishment” for his killing.
Qatar is scheduled to carry funeral ceremonies for Haniyeh on Friday, that are anticipated to be attended by Arab and Islamic leaders, in addition to representatives of different Palestinian factions and members of the general public, AFP reported.
