Mourners gathered for the funeral in Tehran on Thursday for the Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Photo: Arash Khamooshi for The New York Times
On Wednesday, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in an explosion at a guesthouse in Tehran where he was staying. The explosive device was planted in advance, according to seven Middle Eastern officials, including two Iranians, and one American official, The New York Times reports.
The explosive device was planted in two months
According to five Middle Eastern officials, the bomb was hidden in the guest house about two months ago. The guesthouse, part of the Neshat complex in northern Tehran, is guarded by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Haniya arrived in the capital of Iran to participate in the inauguration of the country’s new president. The explosives were detonated remotely when it was confirmed to be in a guest house room, according to five officials. The explosion also killed his bodyguard.
Destruction in the guest house
The explosion shattered the building’s windows and partially collapsed an exterior wall, two Iranian officials said. Haniya, who headed Hamas’ political office in Qatar, often stayed at the guest house during his visits to Tehran. Iranian officials and representatives of Hamas accused Israel of the murder, a version shared by some American officials who wished to remain anonymous.
Israel’s reaction and international concern
Israel has not publicly claimed responsibility for the killing, but Israeli intelligence officials briefed the US and other Western governments on details of the operation immediately after the incident, according to five Middle Eastern officials. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that the United States was not informed in advance about this plan.
Absence of missile strike
Initial speculation that a missile strike was possible was quickly dispelled, as the attack did not cause significant damage outside the building, as a missile strike would have. This indicates the use of a carefully planned explosive device.
Implications for Iran
Three Iranian officials said the incident was a catastrophic failure by Iran’s intelligence services and dealt a major blow to the reputation of the Revolutionary Guards, which use the compound for secret meetings with prominent guests such as Haniya. A breach in the security system allowed the explosives to be planted and kept hidden for several months.
Iran’s response
Following the incident, the Revolutionary Guard Corps announced Haniya’s death, and Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called an emergency meeting of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council. At this meeting, he ordered a retaliatory strike against Israel.
International reaction and future consequences
Ismail Haniya was one of the key participants in the Gaza ceasefire negotiations. His death could spark a new wave of violence in the Middle East and block ongoing peace talks. Investigations into the circumstances of the murder continue in Iran, and the international community is concerned about possible consequences for regional stability.
