WASHINGTON, USA: US President Joe Biden has expressed hope that Iran would not retaliate following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. This event has significantly heightened concerns that Israel’s ongoing conflict with Palestinian militants in Gaza could escalate into a broader Middle East war.
The assassination of Haniyeh, Hamas’ top leader, occurred just a day after an Israeli strike in Beirut killed Fuad Shukr, a senior military commander from Hezbollah, another Iran-backed militant group. Both Iran and Hamas have held Israel responsible for Haniyeh’s death, vowing revenge, although Israel has neither confirmed nor denied involvement. When asked if Iran would stand down, Biden responded, “I hope so. I don’t know.”
In light of these developments, the Pentagon announced plans to deploy additional fighter jets and Navy warships to the region to bolster defences against potential threats from Israel’s adversaries. Haniyeh’s assassination is part of a broader pattern of targeted killings of senior Hamas figures, fueling fears that the Gaza conflict, now nearing its eleventh month, could spiral into a wider regional war.
Hamas has initiated a “broad consultation process” to select a new leader in the wake of Haniyeh’s death. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts continue, with the US and its international partners, including France, Britain, Italy, and Egypt, working to prevent further escalation. The US has urged its citizens to make plans to leave Lebanon, and the UK has advised its nationals to “leave now.” Canada has issued a warning for citizens to avoid all travel to Israel due to the regional conflict.
Continued Violence in Gaza and West Bank
Violence persists in the Palestinian territories. On Saturday, an Israeli airstrike on a school sheltering displaced persons in Gaza City killed at least 15 Palestinians. Hours earlier, two strikes in the occupied West Bank killed nine militants, including a local Hamas commander. The Israeli military reported that the first airstrike targeted a militant cell en route to carry out an attack, while the second strike hit a group of militants who had fired on Israeli troops during a counterterrorism operation.
Palestinian health officials report that the Israeli military campaign in Gaza has resulted in at least 39,550 Palestinian deaths. This offensive was triggered by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, which left 1,200 people dead and 250 abducted, according to Israeli figures.
In an attempt to revive ceasefire negotiations, a high-level Israeli delegation made a brief visit to Cairo on Saturday. However, prospects for a breakthrough remain slim, particularly in light of the recent escalations in Lebanon and Iran. Although Israel has not confirmed its involvement in Haniyeh’s assassination, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel has delivered crushing blows to Iran’s proxies, including Hamas and Hezbollah.
Broader Implications and Diplomatic Responses
The assassination of Haniyeh and the subsequent retaliatory threats underscore the fragile and volatile nature of the current situation in the Middle East. The international community, including the US and its allies, is urging for calm and a focus on peace negotiations to prevent further deterioration.
The ongoing violence and political assassinations have deepened regional tensions, drawing in multiple state and non-state actors with vested interests in the conflict. The situation remains highly fluid, with the potential for further escalations that could have far-reaching implications for regional stability and global security.
