Gaza live: Israel strike kills 30 Palestinians, mostly children

Iran said on Wednesday that the United States "bears responsibility" for the killing of Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh, due to its support for Israel.

The assassination of Hamas top leader Ismail Haniyeh on Wednesday will most likely be the boost Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been desperately looking for in this 10-month unprecedented genocidal war against the Palestinians. 

Or this is how it might seem.

Hamas affiliates, and many Palestinians would agree with them, martyrdom is not a loss, neither for the victim nor for his movement and his loved ones. In the Islamic doctrine, martyrdom is one of two successful outcomes in the struggle for truth and justice; the other is victory. 

When the Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, was born out of the womb of the Palestinian Muslim Brotherhood organisation in December 1987, Haniyeh was a young cadre, who was about to turn 25. 

Yet, like many of his Islamic comrades, he was born a leader. Since his birth on 23 December 1962 to a refugee family that fled its homeland in Palestine, close to the city of Ashkelon during the Nakba of 1948, he grew up and lived in Al-Shati refugee camp in the north of the Gaza Strip. 

Read more: Hamas will survive leader's death as it has many times before by Azzam Tamimi

The following photo is one of the last moments in which the Hamas leader was seen alive on Tuesday 30 July at the Iranian parliament.  

Ismail Haniyeh, who served as the fourth Palestinian prime minister and the third political leader of Hamas, has died at the age of 62.

Hailing from a family of refugees expelled from historic Palestine during the Nakba in 1948, he grew up in northern Gaza's beachside al-Shati refugee camp. 

He ascended through the ranks of Hamas, starting as the secretary to the group’s founder, Ahmed Yassin, and eventually leading its political bureau.

In 2006, Hamas won Palestine's most recent legislative elections, and as the movement's top candidate, Haniyeh was tasked with forming a new government, which he led for a year. 

Read more: Ismail Haniyeh: From a Gaza refugee camp to Hamas leadership

The Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, who faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court for possible war crimes committed in Gaza, told soldiers that Israel is not interested in a war, but is preparing for all possibilities.

Gallant's office said the minister addressed the killing of Hezbollah senior militant Fuad Shukr, and said, "we don't want a war, but we're preparing for all possibilities, and within that, you need to be ready, and we will do our job in all the ranks above you."

The Oman News Agency reported that the Sultanate of Oman has condemned the assassination of Hamas's political bureau chief, Ismail Haniyeh.

Omani Foreign Minister stated that the killing is deplorable and must be condemned, as it will only lead to further instability and more conflict, representing a serious setback to the cause of peace. 

A statement from the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said that the Israeli escalation indicated a lack of political will from Israel for de-escalation, after the killing of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

The assassination along with making no progress in Gaza ceasefire talks, was complicating the situation, it added.

US news channel CBS reported that an American official has stated that Washington believes Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukr were killed in Israeli airstrikes. 

A source with knowledge of the ongoing cease-fire talks told CBS News that Haniyeh's assassination would likely complicate the mediation efforts as he was "a key decision maker" in the negotiations. 

"He was someone who saw the value of a deal and was instrumental to getting certain breakthroughs in the talks," the source told CBS News. "At this stage, it's unclear what the effect will be on cease-fire talks."

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has clarified that the United States was unaware of the planned assisintation on Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh before it occurred.

In statements reported by both The New York Times and The Washington Post, Blinken emphasized that the Biden administration did not receive any advance notice regarding the attack and was not involved in any way.

This clarification comes amid scrutiny and speculation about the US role in the assisintation which has been attributed to Israel.

The news this morning has largely focused on the assisintation of Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas. 

Turning back to Gaza Israeli forces have killed at least 39,445 people and wounded at least 91,073 since the start of the war, according to the latest updated by the Palestinian health ministry.

In the past 24 hours, 45 people were killed and 77 people were wounded said the ministry. 

Here is a list of some states that have so far condemned the assassination of Hamas Political Bureau Chief Ismail Haniyeh:

• China: The Chinese Foreign Ministry issued a statement strongly opposing and condemning the assassination, expressing concern that the incident may lead to further instability in the region.

• Turkey: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the assassination, stating, "I strongly condemn the treacherous assassination."

• Iran: Newly sworn-in Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian declared that Tehran will "defend its territorial integrity, honor, dignity, and pride, and make the terrorist occupiers regret their cowardly action."

• Russia: The Russian Foreign Ministry described Haniyeh's killing as "an unacceptable political murder" that will lead to further escalation of tensions.

• Qatar: The Qatari Foreign Ministry labeled the killing of Haniyeh as a "heinous crime, a dangerous escalation, and a flagrant violation of international and humanitarian law."

• Malaysia: Malaysia stated it “unequivocally condemns all acts of violence, including targeted assassinations,” and urged “all peace-loving nations to join in denouncing such actions.”

• Jordan: The Jordanian Foreign Ministry condemned the assassination of Haniyeh, saying, "Jordan condemns in the strongest terms Israel’s assassination of the head of the political bureau of the Islamic Resistance Movement in Palestine (Hamas). May God have mercy on him."

• Iraq: In a statement, Baghdad called the assassination an aggressive act that "violates international law and poses a serious threat to regional security and stability."

• Afghanistan: The Taliban-led government in Kabul said that "the martyrdom of Ismail Haniyeh is a significant loss for the Islamic nation, and his assassination is a crime."

Hamas’s military wing, the Qassam Brigades, has released a statement calling the killing a “dangerous event” with “major repercussions across the entire region.”

Here’s a translation of its statement as provided by Al-Jazeera: 

“With the highest expressions of pride and honour, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades announce to our struggling Palestinian people, our Arab and Islamic nations, and the free people of the world, the martyrdom of the leader Ismail Abdul Salam Haniyeh, commander of the Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas. He was martyred following a cowardly Zionist assassination operation targeting his residence in Tehran. In response to this Nazi crime, we affirm the following points:

Firstly, the leader and fighter “Abu al-Abd” ascended after a life filled with dedication, struggle, and sacrifices. Throughout his journey, he accompanied the various stages of the movement’s development and struggle, leaving clear contributions and marks at different points. He gave much to the Palestinian cause and played a significant role in strengthening the resistance, unifying the efforts of the nation, and directing the compass towards Jerusalem. His life culminated in martyrdom during the noblest battle, “Al-Aqsa Flood,” fought by our people and the free ones of our nation in defence of Al-Aqsa and the sanctities.

Secondly, the criminal assassination of the leader Haniyeh in the heart of the Iranian capital is a significant and dangerous event that shifts the battle to new dimensions and will have major repercussions across the entire region. The enemy miscalculated by expanding the scope of aggression, assassinating resistance leaders in various arenas, and violating the sovereignty of regional states. The criminal Netanyahu, blinded by delusions of grandeur, is driving the occupation entity toward the abyss, accelerating its collapse and permanent removal from Palestinian land.

Thirdly, this Zionist recklessness must end, and the rampant enemy must be curbed, with its meddling hand restrained to prevent further aggression. The continuous crimes of the enemy across various fronts sound an alarm for all nations and peoples of the region, compelling everyone to support and back the resistance in Palestine. This resistance serves as the front-line defence for the entire nation, which is why the enemy strives to crush and subdue it to focus on larger aggression against the nations and peoples of the region.

Fourthly, the blood of our leader Ismail Haniyeh, mingling today with the blood of Gaza’s children, women, youth, and elders, and with the blood of our people and fighters, underscores that the resistance and its leaders are at the heart of the battle alongside their people. This precious blood will not be shed in vain but will illuminate the path to liberation. The enemy will pay for its aggression with its own blood in Gaza, the West Bank, and within its borders, wherever our fighters reach by God’s will.”

The Iraqi foreign ministry has strongly condemned the assassination of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh, describing it as an aggressive act that "violates international law and poses a serious threat to regional security and stability".

Hamas announced that funeral prayers for assassinated leader Ismail Haniyeh will be held at Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab Mosque in Doha after Friday prayers.

The funeral will take place in Doha, with the attendance of the public, various factions, and the participation of Arab and Islamic leaders. 

The Palestinian National and Islamic Forces have declared a general strike across the occupied West Bank in response to the assassination of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, Iran. 

The Wafa news agency reported that the group mourned Haniyeh's death in a statement, emphasising that "this cowardly assassination will not break the will and steadfastness of the Palestinian people, but will instead increase their determination and resolve to continue fighting for their rights and national principles until they achieve freedom and independence".

Streets across the West Bank are empty, and shops have been closed in solidarity with the assassinated Hamas leader. 

Malaysia has stated that it “unequivocally condemns all acts of violence, including targeted assassinations” and urged “all peace-loving nations to join in denouncing such actions” following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Iran.

Haniyeh’s assassination “underscores the urgent need for de-escalation and reinforces the necessity for all parties to engage in constructive dialogue and pursue peaceful resolutions,” the Malaysian foreign ministry said in a statement.