The recent predawn airstrike in the Iranian capital targeting Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh has sent shockwaves through the region, with Iran and the militant group blaming Israel for the assassination. The strike comes amidst escalating tensions between Israel and Hamas following the group’s attack on southern Israel earlier this month.
The timing of the airstrike, just after Haniyeh had attended the inauguration of Iran’s new president in Tehran, has raised questions about Israel’s access to Iranian territory in order to carry out targeted attacks. This incident also comes on the heels of Israel targeting a top commander in Iran’s ally Hezbollah in Beirut, further fueling the conflict between the two sides.
In response to the assassination, Iran’s supreme leader has vowed revenge against Israel, setting the stage for potential escalation in the already volatile region. The US and other nations are reportedly scrambling to prevent an all-out regional war, as Iran threatens retaliation and Qatar expresses doubts about the success of future mediation efforts between Israel and Hamas.
The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with experts like Dr. Filippo Dionigi, Senior Lecturer in Politics/International Relations with expertise on the Middle East, weighing in on the implications of these targeted airstrikes. The assassination of Haniyeh has added a new layer of complexity to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, with tensions running high and the potential for further violence looming large.
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Video “Haniyeh assassination ‘shows Israel had access to Iranian territory’ to execute targeted airstrike” was uploaded on 07/31/2024 to Youtube Channel FRANCE 24 English