RAMALLAH: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has strongly condemned the killing of Hamas leader and political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh, calling it a cowardly act and a dangerous development.
The President called on the Palestinian people to unite, be patient, and steadfast in the face of the Israeli occupation, Palestine News Agency (WAFA) reported.
Meanwhile, Secretary-General of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) Hussein al-Sheikh has also firmly condemned the killing.
"We strongly denounce and condemn the assassination of the head of the Political Bureau, the national leader, Ismail Haniyeh," he said in a post on X.
"We consider it a cowardly act, which pushes us to remain more steadfast in the face of the occupation, and underscores the necessity of achieving the unity of the Palestinian forces and factions."
Hamas announced earlier today that its political bureau chief was killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting his residence in the Iranian capital, Tehran, according to international media reports.
Iranian state television also reported Haniyeh's death, noting that an investigation into the killing is ongoing and that the results will be announced soon.
No immediate announcement has been made by Israel regarding the incident.
Haniyeh was in Tehran to attend the inauguration ceremony of the new Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday (July 30).
The Secretary-General of the Palestinian National Initiative Party (PNI), Mustafa Barghouti, stated in a Facebook post that his party condemns the actions of the Zionist military for this heinous crime.
"This heinous crime will only strengthen the determination of the Palestinian people and their brave resistance to continue the struggle and fight for freedom, dignity, and the right to self-determination," he said.
"Today, the Palestinian people have lost a valiant Mujahidin leader known for his patriotism, integrity, honesty, and genuine concern for national unity and protecting the interests of the Palestinian people," he added. — BERNAMA