Hamas chief killed

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Ali Khamenei (85). As "Supreme Leader", he has been the political and religious leader of Shia-majority Iran since 1989.

(Bild: AFP)

Following the targeted killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh Wednesday morning in the Iranian capital Tehran, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei wants to see a direct attack on Israel.

Khamenei has issued an order to this effect, the "New York Times" reported, citing three Iranian officials informed of the order, including two members of Iran's elite armed forces, the Revolutionary Guards.

As "Supreme Leader", Ali Khamenei (85) has been the political and religious leader of Shia-majority Iran since 1989.

(Bild: AFP)

The report gave no details on the timing and scope of a possible Iranian retaliatory attack. Khamenei reportedly issued the order at an emergency meeting of Iran's Supreme National Security Council on Wednesday morning.

Mourning for "holy warrior"
The Iranian leadership had already reacted indignantly beforehand. Revenge was Iran's duty as Haniyeh had been killed on Iranian soil, Khamenei said. "There will be a harsh punishment." Khamenei went on to say that the whole country was mourning the loss of a brave and holy warrior.

President Pezeshkian threatened that Iran would ensure that "the terrorist occupiers regretted their cowardly act". Iran and the radical Islamic Palestinian organization Hamas blamed Israel for the attack, while Hamas spoke of a "serious escalation".

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned against revenge after the deadly attacks on Haniyeh and the Hezbollah commander Muhsin "Fuad" Shukr on Tuesday evening in a suburb of the Lebanese capital Beirut.

Netanyahu: "Threats from all directions"
"A high price will be paid for any aggression against Israel, no matter from which side," Netanyahu said in a TV address on Wednesday evening. "Citizens of Israel, there are difficult days ahead. Since the attack in Beirut, there have been threats from all directions," he said, referring to the announcements by Iran and the Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah that they would retaliate.

"We are prepared for any scenario and will stand united and resolute against any threat," said Netanyahu. In recent days, Israel has dealt devastating blows to Iran's proxies, including Hamas and Hezbollah.

Citizens of Israel, there are difficult days ahead. Since the attack in Beirut, there have been threats from all directions.

Israels Ministerpräsident Benjamin Netanyahu

UN calls for de-escalation
In view of a possible escalation of the war in the Middle East, the UN Security Council met in New York for an emergency session requested by Iran and supported by China, Russia and Algeria. In the end, the Security Council urgently called for de-escalation.

The deputy head of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Khalil al-Hayya, declared in Tehran on Wednesday that neither Hamas nor Iran wanted a war in the entire region. However, there was a crime that had to be punished.

On Tuesday, Israel also claimed to have deliberately killed the Hezbollah commander Shukr in Beirut, who is said to be responsible for the recent shelling of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights which left twelve children and young people dead. Hamas and Hezbollah belong to the so-called "Axis of Resistance", which is led by Iran.

(Bild: AFP/APA/HEZBOLLAH MILITARY MEDIA OFFICE)

Iran: USA responsible for Haniyeh's death
Iran also blamed Israel's most important ally, the USA, for Haniyeh's death. "The USA is also responsible for this brutal act of terrorism," it said in a statement from the Foreign Ministry. Washington has always supported the Israeli government and has always endorsed its crimes. The USA was "concerned" about a possible escalation in the Middle East.

EU: "Greatest possible restraint" necessary
Egypt and Qatar, which are both mediating in the Gaza war together with the USA and are trying to achieve a ceasefire, strongly condemned the killing of Haniyeh. Following the fatal attack on Haniyeh, the European Union called on all parties to the conflict to exercise the "greatest possible restraint" and avoid further escalation.