According to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran early Tuesday after attending the inauguration of the newly-elected President of Iran and meeting with Supreme Leader Khameini. Haniyeh is one of the most senior Hamas leaders, and led the political operations of the terrorist group from the safety and luxury of Qatar.
IRGC statement says Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Tehran along with one of his bodyguards after his “residence was hit.” The language implies the building was targeted. He was in Iran for the presidential inauguration, had met with Supreme Leader Khamenei. pic.twitter.com/n1W7MLgGGS
— Khosro K Isfahani (@KhosroIsfahani) July 31, 2024
During the inauguration, Haniyeh and other attendees chanted, “Death to America” and, “Death to Israel.”
🇮🇷 At the inauguration of the new Islamic regime President Pezeshkian, attended by Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh amongst other terrorists, the entire parliament chanted “death to America” and “death to Israel.”
🇪🇺 The EU representative also attended and remained seated during… pic.twitter.com/hWr0D8xL1Q
— Emily Schrader – אמילי שריידר امیلی شریدر (@emilykschrader) July 30, 2024
Hamas also confirmed the assassination on its Telegram account and accuses Israel of killing the leader. Israel has not commented, but retweeted Rep. Richie Torres on the matter.
The leader of Hamas has been brought to justice. Permanently.
A special place in hell is reserved for him. pic.twitter.com/4mQ8cs8h4X
— Ritchie Torres (@RitchieTorres) July 31, 2024
The IRGC report claims that Haniyeh’s residence was targeted and his bodyguard was killed as well. And, as the New York Times observes, a targeted killing like this in Tehran “raises questions about the safety of Iran’s top leaders who were in close contact with Mr. Haniyeh just hours before his assassination.”
While apologists for Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah claim this killing “illustrated that there were no red lines in the war between Israel and Hamas,” it should be remembered that Hamas claimed responsibility for the October 7 attacks and that Israel subsequently declared war on Hamas, meaning that Hamas’ leaders are legitimate targets of Israel anywhere they might be harbored.
This is a developing story. RedState will provide updates as they become available.
