On October 7, Israel avenged the biggest terrorist attack on its soil by killing the mastermind right in his home. Israel successfully eliminated the Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, declared a Specially Designated Terrorist by the US. Haniyeh, who usually resided in Qatar, frequently traveled to Iran and Turkey for peace talks. He was in Tehran for the new president's inauguration when Israel's fatal strike occurred, likely catching him off-guard.
Although Israel has yet to release an official statement regarding the attack, Hamas confirmed that their leader was killed in the Tehran attack. This bold move by Israel, in the heart of Tehran where Haniyeh felt safe, has led Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to vow harsh retribution against Israel. Khamenei stated in an official release, "With this act, the criminal and terrorist Israeli regime has paved its way to severe punishment. We consider it our duty to avenge the blood spilled on our land."
Source: aajtak
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The Demise of Hamas Chief Haniyeh
Israel had made it clear that the perpetrators of the October 7 attack were marked for death. One by one, Israel is eliminating its enemies, with the most significant strike completed today. The October 7 attack last year was Hamas' largest assault on Israel in 75 years, resulting in the death of 1,200 Israelis. Haniyeh, who was in Qatar at the time, celebrated this attack. Recently, he traveled to Iran for the presidential inauguration, meeting with Iran's Supreme Leader. At 2 AM, while resting in a highly secure location in northern Iran, he was killed by an air-to-ground missile strike.
Who's Israel's Next Target?
While Israel has remained silent about the attack, Iran has directly accused them. Just 12 hours earlier, Israel's air strike in Lebanon killed Hezbollah's number 2, Fawad Shukur, who had been on Israel's hit list for orchestrating a missile attack that killed 12 Israeli children in Golan. These twin assassinations have shocked Iran, with its Supreme Leader organizing the largest military meeting to plan retaliation. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a significant security meeting. The pressing question worldwide is: Who is Israel's next target? Speculation suggests Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah's chief, might be next on Israel's list.
Source: aajtak
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Who is Hassan Nasrallah on Israel's Radar?
Hassan Nasrallah has led Hezbollah since 1992. Known for his charisma among supporters, Nasrallah has spearheaded several major operations against Israel. The 63-year-old Lebanese politician grew up in eastern Beirut and deeply immersed himself in Islamic studies at a young age. He joined Hezbollah in the early 1980s following Israel's invasion of Lebanon in 1982. After his predecessor Abbas al-Musawi was killed by the Israeli military in 1992, Nasrallah became the group's leader. Under his leadership, Hezbollah led the resistance against Israeli occupation in Lebanon until the late 20th century.
Is a New Chapter of the Palestine-Israel War Starting?
The critical questions now are how Hamas and Hezbollah will respond to their leaders' assassinations? What actions will Iran take in response to the strike? Will the conflict in the Middle East escalate? Hamas, in its statement, vowed that Haniyeh's death would not be in vain, signaling possible retaliation. Israel, likely seizing the opportunity, might aim for the complete elimination of Hamas. A critical challenge for Hamas now is to choose Haniyeh's successor.
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Hamas & Hezbollah: Distinct Yet Aligned
Hamas is a Palestinian organization, while Hezbollah is Lebanese. Both powerful entities in the Middle East, they fight against Israel for Palestinian freedom. Despite shared goals, their military capacities and strategies differ. Hamas, a Sunni group, was founded in 1920 and officially formed in 1987, while Hezbollah, a Shia organization, emerged in the 1980s. Hezbollah operates as both a political and military force in Lebanon, engaging in political decisions and military activities. Known for its secretive nature, Hezbollah’s internal workings are less accessible. The common objective for both organizations is the annihilation of Israel. The US has designated both Hamas and Hezbollah as terrorist groups.
