US President Joe Biden has expressed concern that the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh may hinder ongoing discussions for a ceasefire in Gaza. Haniyeh was reportedly killed during a visit to Tehran on Wednesday, with Iran and its allies attributing blame to Israel, which has not yet commented on the incident.
Haniyeh, a prominent figure in Hamas, played a crucial role in negotiations concerning ceasefire terms and hostage releases from his location in Qatar. Biden stated he is “very concerned” about the escalating tensions in the Middle East, urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to act swiftly on a potential ceasefire agreement with Hamas.
Recent interactions saw Israel and Hamas engaging in indirect negotiations aimed at reaching a ceasefire, albeit with mixed reports about their progress. In May, Biden outlined an Israeli ceasefire proposal that has since been a focal point of intermittent discussions mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the US.
Tensions flared earlier this week, as both sides accused each other of stalling negotiations. Hamas claimed Israel introduced additional conditions, while Netanyahu’s office countered that Hamas demanded numerous changes to the established proposal.
The conflict escalated significantly in October when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities and the abduction of around 251 hostages. This prompted a robust military response from Israel, with reports estimating over 39,480 Palestinian deaths in Gaza, according to local health authorities.
Biden addressed the media following Haniyeh’s assassination, emphasizing his commitment to protect Israel against threats from Iran, which has expressed intentions of retaliation. Iran is recognized as Hamas’s primary supporter and is staunchly opposed to Israel.
While Israel has not overtly claimed responsibility for Haniyeh’s assassination, Netanyahu mentioned Israel’s recent military successes against Iran-backed groups. The assassination occurs amidst heightened tensions in the region, with recent incidents including an airstrike in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights that killed 12 children and young adults. Israel attributed this attack to Hezbollah, which has denied involvement. Additionally, just hours before Haniyeh’s death, Israel conducted a targeted airstrike in Beirut, eliminating senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr, alleged to be involved in the Golan Heights incident.
