ALOR STAR: The Kedah state government has condemned the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in the strongest terms.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor said the murder, which also claimed the life of Haniyeh's bodyguard, demands a thorough investigation.
"The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh at his residence in Tehran, Iran must be investigated much deeper.
"This is because the Iran Islamic Republic government is known to be a strong supporter of Hamas and has been very particular about protecting the safety of the Palestinian leader.
"This is a mounting challenge for the newly minted Iranian President, Masoud Pezeshkian," he said in a statement issued late on Wednesday.
Sanusi stressed that while many are grieving over the death of the Hamas senior leader, it would not cripple the operation of resistance fighters in Gaza.
"Following the death of Ismail, the Israel regime might believe that they have managed to kill the "main brain" for the Hamas movement, and this would cripple the operation of resistance fighters in Gaza.
"Unknown to them, their heinous act will only spark an even greater response. Dozens or even hundreds more of 'Ismail Haniyeh' will be born.
"That is Allah's promise to their honest struggle in Palestine, who are waiting for their turn to become martyrs.
"Israel did not murder Ismail, but they have sent him to paradise instead," he said.
It was reported that Haniyeh was assassinated in the early hours of Wednesday morning in Tehran.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards confirmed Haniyeh's death, hours after he attended a swearing-in ceremony for the country's new president.
In confirming Haniyeh's assassination, Hamas said the describing the strike as a "severe escalation" that would not achieve its goals.