PA holds day of mourning, Iran vows revenge: The world reacts to killing of Ismail Haniyeh in surprise strike in Tehran

Following the assassination of Hamas’ political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, Iran, early on Wednesday morning, reactions from various world leaders and governments began pouring in, both condemning and praising Haniyeh’s death. 

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called Haniyeh "a brave leader and distinguished Palestinian fighter,” in his comments.

Khamenei blamed Israel for the assassination, saying, “The criminal and terrorist Zionist regime martyred our dear guest in our house and made us mourn, but it has also prepared the ground for severe punishment for itself.” 

He also said Iran has a “duty to avenge his blood in this bitter and difficult incident that took place in the territory of the Islamic Republic.” 

"The Islamic Republic of Iran will defend its territorial integrity, honor, dignity, and pride, and will make the terrorist occupiers regret their cowardly act,” he stated. 

The Foreign Ministry of Qatar, where Haniyeh has been living since 2016, posted a condemnation of the killing on their official 𝕏 account, referring to him as the “Head of the Political Bureau of the Palestinian Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), Dr. Ismail Haniyeh." The Qatari Foreign Ministry also stated that it considers the assassination a "heinous crime, a dangerous escalation, and a flagrant violation of international and humanitarian law.” 

"The Ministry expresses the condolences of the State of Qatar, its leadership and people, to the family of the head of the Political Bureau of Hamas and his personal companion, and the State of Palestine and its people,” the statement concluded. 

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian released a statement condemnation the killing.

“We firmly oppose and condemn any assassination and violent act and we are deeply concerned about the potential increase in regional instability due to this incident.” 

The Foreign Ministry of Russia also released a statement on 𝕏, condemning the elimination of the Hamas leader. 

“We strongly condemn the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, Head of the Political Bureau of the Palestinian Hamas movement, in a missile attack on his residence in Tehran,” the statement read. "We urge the parties involved to exercise maximum restraint.” 

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan decried the assassination, calling it "a despicable attempt to undermine the Palestinian Cause, the glorious resistance of Gaza, and the rightful struggle of our Palestinian brothers, aiming to demoralize, intimidate, and suppress them.” 

Erdoğan also called for a united response from the Islamic world to end “the oppression” in Gaza. 

Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority (PA), announced a day of mourning for Haniyeh in the Palestinian Territories. Haniyeh, formerly the PA’s prime minister, led Hamas during the 2007 expulsion of Abbas’ Fatah party from Gaza during the Battle of Gaza. Hamas and Fatah have been at odds ever since.

In a statement to WAFA, the official PA news agency, Abbas identified Haniyeh as a former PA prime minister.

Abbas said the "assassination is not only aimed at the Palestinian resistance and Hamas in particular, but it is also aimed at Iran."  

While the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden did not formally comment on the assassination, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Wednesday he doesn't believe an escalation is inevitable. 

"I don't think war is inevitable. I maintain that. I think there's always room and opportunities for diplomacy," Austin said to a group of reporters while in the Philippines. 

Austin also promised that the U.S. would help defend Israel if it attacked in retaliation. 

“If Israel is attacked, we certainly will help defend Israel,” Austin said. “You saw us do that in April. You can expect to see us do that again.” 

In the U.S., several people posted comments to social media mocking members of the Democrat group called "The Squad."

Condolences to Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib during this difficult time

— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) July 31, 2024

Meanwhile, reactions from Israeli politicians were considerably less mournful. 

Several Israeli politicians posted to social media to celebrate Haniyeh’s death. 

Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli posted in English to his 𝕏 account with a video showing Haniyeh at the swearing in ceremony, where chants of “Death to Israel” rang out. “Careful what you wish for,” Chikli wrote. 

Careful What You Wish For pic.twitter.com/HkHjlF4Mzj

— עמיחי שיקלי - Amichai Chikli (@AmichaiChikli) July 31, 2024

Israeli Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi posted quotations from the Book of Judges and Psalms as he celebrated Haniyeh’s death. 

“So may all Your enemies perish, O Lord,” Karhi wrote, quoting Judges 5:31.

“‘I pursued my enemies and overtook them, and did not turn back till they were consumed.’ [quoting Psalm 18:37] This is the right way to cleanse the world of this filth. No more imaginary 'peace'/surrender agreements, no more mercy for them. The iron fist that strikes them is what will bring peace and comfort and strengthen our ability to live in peace with those who desire it.”