U.S. President Joe Biden stated on Thursday that the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was not conducive to achieving a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Following the killing of Haniyeh in Iran, there have been heightened concerns of a potential escalation leading to a broader Middle East war, with threats of retaliation against Israel.
Haniyeh, who had been involved in talks aimed at reaching a ceasefire in Gaza, was confirmed dead by Hamas and Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
Also read: What does Haniyeh’s death mean for Israel-Iran rivalry?
Residents in Gaza, under siege by Israel, expressed anxiety over the impact of Haniyeh’s assassination on the duration of the conflict.
Iran reported that the killing occurred shortly after Haniyeh attended a ceremony for its new president.
President Biden, speaking to reporters, expressed that the assassination of Haniyeh was not helpful in the efforts to secure a ceasefire agreement.
He also mentioned having a direct conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier in the day.
While Netanyahu’s government has not claimed responsibility for the assassination, he emphasized Israel’s readiness to respond forcefully to any attacks by Iran’s proxies like Hamas and Hezbollah.
The tensions between Israel, Iran, and Hezbollah have raised concerns about a potential wider conflict in a region already facing heightened tensions due to the Gaza assault, leading to a humanitarian crisis.
The recent violence in the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict began on Oct. 7 when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, resulting in casualties and hostages.
According to the Gaza health ministry, the subsequent military actions by Israel have caused significant loss of life and displacement, leading to accusations of genocide that Israel denies.
The United States has clarified that it was not involved in the assassination of Haniyeh.
