Hamas Top Figure Haniyeh Assassinated in Tehran; IDF Kills Hezbollah Commander Shukr in Beirut

Ismail Haniyeh, the Head of Hamas' Political Bureau, was killed last night in an apartment where he was staying with his security team in Tehran. Iranian media has accused Israel of the assassination, and Hamas has stated that the attack on Haniyeh's life is a "cowardly act that will not go unanswered." There has been no official response from Israel.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated, "Early this morning, Haniyeh's residence was attacked, and he and one of his bodyguards were killed. The circumstances of the assassination are under investigation, and results will be published soon."

Haniyeh had arrived in Tehran to attend the inauguration of the new president, Masoud Pezeshkian. News agencies Reuters, AP, and CNN report that details about how the Hamas leader was killed have not been released in Tehran. However, the IRGC announced that the individual was killed "in a treacherous raid at his residence in Tehran," and the assassination is under investigation.

Iranian state TV network PRESS TV reported Haniyeh's death, while Hamas stated that he was killed "in a Zionist attack by missile."

Ismail Haniyeh, 62, was born in a refugee camp in the Gaza Strip and joined Hamas in the late 1980s. He was appointed to the organization's senior leadership in 2004. Over the years, he focused on political activities, led the political bureau, and met with world leaders. This year, he met with the Emir of Qatar and Chinese diplomats.

As of this morning, there has been no response from the White House regarding Haniyeh's assassination. However, it is noted that CIA Director William Burns is in Rome for meetings with senior representatives from Israel, Egypt, and Qatar for further discussions on the issue of hostages.

Another Attack: IDF Kills Hajj Mohsin (Fuad Shukr)

Yesterday, the IDF carried out an airstrike in the Dahiya neighborhood of southern Beirut, killing Hajj Mohsin (also known as Fuad Shukr), who was responsible for the missile precision project and the murder of children in Majdal Shams. IDF spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, described Mohsin as a senior military commander in Hezbollah, Nasrallah's right-hand man, and head of the organization's strategic unit.

Throughout the evening, conflicting reports about Mohsin's fate circulated in news agencies and social media in Arab countries and Iran. Some claimed he was killed, while others reported he had left the building before the attack and survived. After midnight, the IDF officially confirmed that Mohsin was killed in an airstrike by Israeli Air Force planes.

The IDF spokesperson announced that the IDF targeted in Beirut the commander responsible for the murder of children in Majdal Shams and for the killing of many Israeli civilians. The spokesperson also stated no changes in Home Front Command instructions. Nevertheless, preventive measures were taken in the northern part of the country, and local leaders urged residents to stay in protected areas or near them.

News agencies Reuters and AP reported that many residents in southern Beirut gathered around the large building that was attacked, with four floors destroyed. Reports indicate that, aside from the target of the attack, there were additional casualties, including dead and injured. Residents of the Dahiya neighborhood heard a large explosion from the building that was attacked. Lebanese news agencies reported that the building contained a Shura Council.

From the U.S., it was reported that the target of the attack, Mohsin, was among those responsible for the deaths of over 200 American Marines in a high-casualty attack in Beirut in the 1980s, and a reward of five million dollars was offered for information on his whereabouts.