Reaction to Killing of Hamas Chief Ismail Haniyeh 

In this photo released by the Iranian Presidency Office, Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh sits in a meeting with President Masoud Pezeshkian at the presidency office in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, July 30, 2024. (Iranian Presidency Office via AP)
In this photo released by the Iranian Presidency Office, Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh sits in a meeting with President Masoud Pezeshkian at the presidency office in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, July 30, 2024. (Iranian Presidency Office via AP)
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Reaction to Killing of Hamas Chief Ismail Haniyeh 

In this photo released by the Iranian Presidency Office, Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh sits in a meeting with President Masoud Pezeshkian at the presidency office in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, July 30, 2024. (Iranian Presidency Office via AP)
In this photo released by the Iranian Presidency Office, Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh sits in a meeting with President Masoud Pezeshkian at the presidency office in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, July 30, 2024. (Iranian Presidency Office via AP)

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Iran on Wednesday, the Palestinian armed group Hamas and Iran's Revolutionary Guards said in separate statements. 

Here are reactions: 

ABDUL SALAM HANIYEH, SON OF ISMAIL HANIYEH: "My father survived four assassination attempts during his patriotic journey, and today Allah has granted him the martyrdom that he always wished for. 

"He was very keen to establish national unity and strived for the unity of all Palestinian factions and we affirm that this assassination will not deter the resistance, which will fight until freedom is achieved." 

IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN NASSER KANAANI: "Haniyeh's martyrdom in Tehran will strengthen the deep and unbreakable bond between Tehran, Palestine, and the resistance." 

QATAR FOREIGN MINISTRY STATEMENT: "Qatar strongly condemns the assassination of Dr. Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and considers this a heinous crime and a dangerous escalation, as well as a major violation of international and humanitarian laws. 

"The foreign ministry affirms that this assassination and Israel's reckless, continuous targeting of civilians in Gaza will push the region into a circle of chaos, as well as limit the prospects of peace." 

DEPUTY RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER MIKHAIL BOGDANOV: "This is an absolutely unacceptable political murder, and it will lead to further escalation of tensions." 

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."  

TURKISH FOREIGN MINISTRY: "We offer our condolences to the Palestinian people who have given hundreds of thousands of martyrs like Haniyeh in order to live in peace in their own homeland, under the roof of their own state. 

"It has been revealed once again that the Netanyahu Government has no intention of achieving peace. 

"This attack also aims to spread the war in Gaza to a regional level. If the international community does not take action to stop Israel, our region will face much greater conflicts." 

MALAYSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY: "Malaysia unequivocally condemns all acts of violence, including targeted assassination, and urges all peace-loving nations to join in denouncing such acts. 

"The incident underscores the urgent need for de-escalation and reinforces the necessity for all parties to engage in constructive dialogue and pursue peaceful resolutions." 

AREEPEN UTTARASIN, VETERAN THAI POLITICIAN AND FORMER GAZA HOSTAGE NEGOTIATOR: "The assassination is very serious because it occurred in Iran. It shows that Hamas's opponents can strike anywhere. Assassinating the Hamas leader will make negotiations and de-escalation more difficult. Things will become more violent and the situation will worsen, it will not improve."  



Lebanon Detains Five Over Rocket Fire Toward Israel

FILED - 31 May 2022, Lebanon, Beirut: Lebanese soldiers stand guard in front of the parliament building in Beirut. Photo: Marwan Naamani/dpa
FILED - 31 May 2022, Lebanon, Beirut: Lebanese soldiers stand guard in front of the parliament building in Beirut. Photo: Marwan Naamani/dpa
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Lebanon Detains Five Over Rocket Fire Toward Israel

FILED - 31 May 2022, Lebanon, Beirut: Lebanese soldiers stand guard in front of the parliament building in Beirut. Photo: Marwan Naamani/dpa
FILED - 31 May 2022, Lebanon, Beirut: Lebanese soldiers stand guard in front of the parliament building in Beirut. Photo: Marwan Naamani/dpa

The Lebanese Army on Tuesday received a third suspect from the Palestinian group Hamas over rocket attacks launched from southern Lebanon toward Israel in March, bringing the total number of detainees to five.

In a statement issued by the Army’s Directorate of Guidance, the military said it had taken custody of the Palestinian national, identified by the initials Q.S., at the entrance of the Al-Bass refugee camp in the southern city of Tyre.

The handover follows the transfer of two other Hamas members on Sunday and Monday, as part of a broader security operation led by the Lebanese Army’s Intelligence Directorate.

The move comes in line with a recommendation by Lebanon’s Supreme Defense Council and a decision by the government to apprehend those involved in the attacks.

The suspects are believed to have played roles in rocket launches toward Israeli territory on March 22 and 28, 2025.

Military authorities confirmed that the newly detained suspect is now under investigation under the supervision of the relevant judicial authorities.

Security forces are continuing efforts to track down additional individuals linked to the rocket fire.

Rockets fired from southern Lebanon toward Israel on March 22 and 28 were launched by unidentified assailants, but subsequent investigations by Lebanese authorities revealed that some of those involved were affiliated with the Palestinian group Hamas, security sources said.

Two suspects have already been detained, and authorities have launched a manhunt for others believed to have taken part in the attacks.

In response, Lebanon’s Supreme Defense Council issued a recommendation to the government on Friday, urging it to formally warn Hamas against using Lebanese territory to carry out operations that threaten national security.

“The most severe measures will be taken to put a definitive end to any act that violates Lebanese sovereignty,” the council said in its statement.