World’s reaction to Ismail Haniyeh’s assassination

ISLAMABAD: World has started reacting to the news of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassination in Tehran early Wednesday.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the assassination but suspicion fell on Israel, which has vowed to kill Haniyeh and other leaders of Hamas over the group’s Oct. 7 attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and saw some 250 others taken hostage.

World has started reacting to the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Iran today. Here are some reactions to Haniyeh’s death:

Turkish Foreign Ministry

Turkey condemns the “shameful assassination” of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh — an ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan — the foreign affairs ministry says in a statement.

“We condemn the assassination of the leader of Hamas’s political office, Ismail Haniyeh, in a shameful assassination in Tehran,” the ministry says, adding that “this attack also aims to spread the Gaza war to a regional dimension.”

Iranian Foreign Ministry

The Iranian Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Wednesday morning saying the assassination of the Hamas leader Ismaeil Haniyeh will “never go in vain”.

“Undoubtedly, the pure blood of this noted mujahid who honorably campaigned against the usurper Zionist regime in liberating the holy Quds and freeing the oppressed Palestinian nation from the clutches of Zionist occupiers will never go in vain,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said in a statement.

China

“We are highly concerned about the incident and firmly oppose and condemn the assassination,” foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said. “Gaza should achieve a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire as soon as possible.”

Qatar

The State of Qatar condemns in the strongest terms the assassination of Dr Ismail Haniyeh … [and] considers it a heinous crime, a dangerous escalation and a flagrant violation of international and humanitarian law. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirms that this assassination and the reckless Israeli behavior of continuously targeting civilians in Gaza will lead to the region slipping into chaos and undermine the chances of peace.”

Pakistan

Pakistan Wednesday condemned the assassination of Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran today, expressing deep shock at the timing of the reckless act.

“We are deeply shocked by the timing of this reckless act, coinciding with the inauguration of the President of Iran, an event attended by several foreign dignitaries, including the Deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan,” according to a Foreign Office press release.

Sami Abu Zuhri, senior Hamas official

“This assassination by the Israeli occupation of Brother Haniyeh is a grave escalation that aims to break the will of Hamas and the will of our people and achieve fake goals. We confirm that this escalation will fail to achieve its objectives.

“Hamas is a concept and an institution and not persons. Hamas will continue on this path regardless of the sacrifices and we are confident of victory.”

Amichai Eliyahu, Israel’s minister of heritage

“This is the right way to clean the world of this filth. No more imaginary peace/surrender agreements. No more mercy. The iron hand that will strike them is the one that will bring peace and a little comfort and strengthen our ability to live in peace with those who desire peace. Haniyeh’s death makes the world a little better.”

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas

Abbas strongly condemned the assassination, describing it as “a cowardly act and a dangerous development”, according to a statement from the official Wafa news agency. The president also called on Palestinians to unite and “be patient and steadfast in the face of the Israeli occupation”.

Mikhail Bogdanov, deputy foreign minister of Russia

“This is an absolutely unacceptable political murder, and it will lead to further escalation of tensions.”

Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, head of Yemen’s Houthi Supreme Revolutionary Committee

“Targeting Ismail Haniyeh is a heinous terrorist crime and a flagrant violation of laws and ideal values.”

Malaysia Foreign Ministry

The assassination of former Prime Minister of Palestine Ismail Haniyeh is an act of violence to be condemned, says the Foreign Ministry

“Malaysia unequivocally condemns all acts of violence, including targeted assassination, and urges all peace-loving nations to join in denouncing such acts,” it said.

Tough-talking Haniyeh was seen as the more moderate face of Hamas