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Iran claims a close-range assassination of a Hamas commander

Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claims that Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated by a "short-range projectile" fired from outside his guesthouse in Tehran.

According to the paramilitary group, Haniyeh and his bodyguard were killed last Wednesday by a "strong blast" from a weapon that weighed roughly 7 kg (16 lbs). The head of Hamas was in the Iranian capital for President Massoud Pezeshkian's inauguration.

The US-backed operation was allegedly planned and carried out by Israel, according to the IRGC. On Haniyeh's passing, Israel has remained silent

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The IRGC statement contradicts allegations from Western media indicating that Israeli operatives put bombs in the guesthouse.

Iran and the IRGC are embarrassed by the circumstances surrounding Haniyeh's killing, particularly on a day when heavy security was in place.

The New York Times revealed on Saturday that in the days following Haniyeh's passing, dozens of IRGC officials had either been detained or fired.

According to the article, the inquiry has been taken over by the organization's intelligence agency. It further stated that Haniyeh's guesthouse staff members had their phones and other equipment confiscated and that they had been questioned.

Iranian lawmakers' security details have been revised in the interim. On Thursday, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader, conducted prayers for Haniyeh. However, his security detail quickly escorted him away from the event.

Following claims made by the British Daily Telegraph that Haniyeh was murdered by bombs placed in his room by Israeli Mossad intelligence operatives, the IRGC released a statement on Saturday.
The article reported that two Mossad agents had entered the guesthouse and placed bombs in three rooms, citing Iranian sources. After watching the operatives' CCTV footage, the Iranians claimed the two had left the nation before setting off the bombs from outside of Iran

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According to the New York Times, Haniyeh was also killed by explosives that went off in his chamber; the explosives may have been planted as long as two months prior. These assertions have not been confirmed by the BBC.

However, Hamas representatives earlier this week informed the BBC that Haniyeh had previously been at the same hostel. Since taking on the role of chief of the political bureau in 2017, he had visited Iran up to fifteen times.

If the reports in the press are accurate, it would be even more of a setback for the IRGC, who have long been in charge of the nation's internal security. It would also demonstrate the extent to which Mossad can function in Iran without consequence, according to experts

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Whatever the cause of Haniyeh's demise, Hamas and Iran have promised to exact revenge.
"A severe punishment at the appropriate time, place, and manner" would be meted out to Israel, the IRGC declared on Saturday

Retaliation has also been promised by Hezbollah, the political organization and militia in Lebanon supported by Iran. Fuad Shukr, one of their top commanders, was killed last Tuesday in an Israeli strike.
Iran launched 170 drones, 30 cruise missiles, and at least 110 ballistic missiles towards Israel earlier this year following the Israeli operation that resulted in the death of IRGC Brig Gen Mohammad Reza Zahedi near Damascus.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has cautioned the country that "tough days lay ahead... Threats have been made against us by everyone. We are equipped to handle any situation.
This past weekend, satellite phones were sent home with his ministers in case the nation's communication network was attacked.

Beach umbrellas shaded bronzed bodies on Tel Aviv's coastline, a casual atmosphere belying the government's warnings.

However, there is little question that a full-scale conflict is imminent in the Middle East.
A number of foreign airlines have halted service to Israel as the nation remains under high alert.
According to the Pentagon, the US has also sent more fighter planes and warships to the Middle East to aid in defending Israel against potential strikes by Iran and its allies.

The likelihood that "the situation on the ground could deteriorate rapidly is rising," according to UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy.

Meanwhile, the government media office controlled by Hamas in Gaza announced that an Israeli bombardment on a school providing refuge for displaced persons in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood of Gaza resulted in the deaths of at least ten people

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It coincides with Israel's announcement that four senior Palestinian Islamic Jihad fighters and a Hamas commander were killed on Saturday by an attack carried out by Israel in the occupied West Bank.
According to the Israeli military, the men were en route to launch an attack when the airstrike struck a vehicle.

Israeli officials have arrived in Cairo for new ceasefire negotiations. Among them are the directors of Mossad and Shin Bet, the country's internal security agency.

In an attempt to salvage a possible truce, they will meet with senior military officials and Abbas Kamel, the head of Egyptian intelligence. However, US President Joe Biden acknowledged on Friday that the discussions had been harmed by Haniyeh's passing.

Mr. Biden stated that although Haniyeh played a significant role in negotiations, his passing “doesn't help” attempts to put an end to the ten-month conflict.

With an unprecedented attack on Israel in October, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people and the kidnapping of 251 more, Hamas declared war on Israel.

The strike set off a major Israeli military reaction that, according to the health ministry operated by Hamas in the enclave, has killed at least 39,550 Palestinians in Gaza.