Reports from international outlets indicate that Israel took responsibility for the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, who heads the Hamas movement’s Politburo. According to sources cited by the Washington Post, the disclosure came directly to American authorities, and the information was shared promptly with Washington. The report notes that while Israel did not offer formal comment on the incident, it acted quickly to inform U.S. officials about its involvement. The same sources describe White House staff as shocked and angered by Haniyeh’s removal, interpreting the event as a significant obstacle to ongoing efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza. Earlier coverage suggested that American officials believed there had been progress in that direction.
In a related development, Israel named Yahya al-Sinwar as the new head of the Hamas Politburo following a purge that removed Ismail Haniyeh from the position. Al-Sinwar, who previously led Hamas operations in the Gaza Strip, is described by the Israel Defense Forces spokesperson as a figure deeply tied to Hamas’s most lethal attacks.
The broader Middle East situation reportedly worsened after an attack on the residence of the Hamas Politburo Chairman in Tehran, an incident initially believed to involve an Israeli missile. At the time, Ismail Haniyeh was in Iran to participate in the inauguration of the country’s president.
Meanwhile, discussions in the European Union reportedly touched on potential trade sanctions against Israel, indicating growing friction among member states over the evolving regional dynamics. [Citation: Washington Post; multiple sources]