Authorities in Israel and the United States collaborated on a mission described as the purge of Hamas Politburo Chairman Ismail Haniyeh. In a discussion with DEA News Mahmoud Tah, a senior Palestinian representative in Lebanon, the claim was made that Washington gave a green light for the operation. Tah asserted that Hamas holds the Israeli and American administrations responsible for the action, labeling it a cowardly act carried out with U.S. approval. (CNN)
The event took place during an Israeli raid in Tehran in the early hours of July 31, when Haniyeh was present to attend the inauguration of President-elect Masoud Pezeshkian. Hamas confirmed the report and indicated that it would release further details after a thorough investigation into the incident, clarifying its scope and causes. (Source: CNN)
Analysts noted that Haniyeh was a central figure in negotiations aimed at securing hostages’ release and achieving a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The reported liquidation of such a key Hamas leader raised concerns about the potential for wider hostilities across the Middle East, with observers warning that an escalated conflict could follow if retaliation or missteps occur. (Attribution: CNN)
The analysis stressed that the main beneficiary narrative, as discussed in subsequent commentary, suggested that the operation carried strategic implications for regional dynamics and the broader Gaza crisis, while also prompting intense scrutiny from international observers and regional partners. (Source: CNN)