Israel Says Wants to End Hostilities Without 'Wider War' But Ready 'For Any Scenario'

Damaged vehicles are seen after an Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon July 30, 2024 in this screen grab from a video. Reuters TV via REUTERS Purchase Licensing Rights
Damaged vehicles are seen after an Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon July 30, 2024 in this screen grab from a video. Reuters TV via REUTERS Purchase Licensing Rights
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Israel Says Wants to End Hostilities Without 'Wider War' But Ready 'For Any Scenario'

Damaged vehicles are seen after an Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon July 30, 2024 in this screen grab from a video. Reuters TV via REUTERS Purchase Licensing Rights
Damaged vehicles are seen after an Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon July 30, 2024 in this screen grab from a video. Reuters TV via REUTERS Purchase Licensing Rights

The Israeli military said late Tuesday that it wanted to avoid any wider war with Hezbollah but that its forces were ready for "any scenario".

"Hezbollah's ongoing aggression and brutal attacks are dragging the people of Lebanon and the entire Middle East into a wider escalation," military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said in a statement.

"While we prefer to resolve hostilities without a wider war," the army is "fully prepared for any scenario," he said.

In this regard, UN's special coordinator for Lebanon on Tuesday voiced concern after the Israeli strike.

"UN Special Coordinator Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert is deeply concerned by tonight's strike," the envoy's office said in a statement, adding that she "underscores once again that there is no such thing as a military solution" to the ongoing conflict.



Iran Vows ‘Harsh Punishment’ for Haniyeh Killing, Türkiye Condemns Assassination  

A handout picture provided by the office of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei shows him (R) meeting with Palestinian Hamas movement leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 30, 2024. (Photo by KHAMENEI.IR / AFP)
A handout picture provided by the office of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei shows him (R) meeting with Palestinian Hamas movement leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 30, 2024. (Photo by KHAMENEI.IR / AFP)
TT

Iran Vows ‘Harsh Punishment’ for Haniyeh Killing, Türkiye Condemns Assassination  

A handout picture provided by the office of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei shows him (R) meeting with Palestinian Hamas movement leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 30, 2024. (Photo by KHAMENEI.IR / AFP)
A handout picture provided by the office of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei shows him (R) meeting with Palestinian Hamas movement leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 30, 2024. (Photo by KHAMENEI.IR / AFP)

Avenging Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh's assassination is "Tehran's duty" because it occurred in the Iranian capital, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said on Wednesday.

He said Israel had provided the grounds for "harsh punishment" for itself.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned the killing.

He said in a post on the X platform that his country will defend its territorial integrity and make those responsible regret their actions.

Hamas has blamed Israel for the assassination.

Hamas said Haniyeh was killed at his residence in Tehran in an Israeli airstrike after he attended the swearing-in ceremony of Iran’s new president. Israel has not commented on the accusation.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the assassination, saying the killing would not break Palestinians' will.

"This assassination is a vileness that aims to disrupt the Palestinian cause, Gaza's noble resistance and our Palestinian siblings' rightful struggle, to break the will of Palestinians, and to intimidate them," Erdogan said on social media platform X. "However, just as until today, the Zionist barbarism will not reach its goals."

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said he was "deeply saddened" to hear that Haniyeh had been "martyred", adding that he had become a symbol of Palestinian resistance.

"He had devoted his life to the Palestinian cause, and to bringing peace and tranquility to Palestine," Fidan added on social media platform X, sharing a photograph of himself and Haniyeh.

Russia's foreign ministry also condemned the killing and called for restraint to stop the Middle East tipping into a large-scale war.

China condemned the assassination, with its foreign ministry warning the incident could lead to further regional instability.