Haniyeh’s Assassination by Israel Marks Death of Peace: Hakan Fidan

Ankara, The Gulf Observer: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has condemned the assassination of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh, asserting that Israel’s actions have also “killed peace.”

“I extend my condolences to his family, to the Palestinian nation, and to the Islamic world. And they should not forget that by killing him, they also killed peace,” Fidan stated during a live interview with local broadcasters on Wednesday.

Fidan further accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of manipulating international politics to Israel’s advantage. “Netanyahu is well aware of this. He has taken America hostage. If he enters a war in Lebanon, the US will have no choice but to go to war to support him,” the Turkish foreign minister added.

Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran, Iran, early Wednesday morning. Hamas has attributed the assassination to Israel, although Israeli officials have not yet confirmed or denied their involvement. Haniyeh was in Tehran for the inauguration of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian when an air strike on his guest house led to his death.

In response to the assassination, Fidan engaged in a phone conversation with Iran’s interim Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri. The two diplomats discussed the repercussions of Haniyeh’s assassination and the broader regional implications, according to a statement from Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oncu Keceli on X.

The situation remains tense as the international community awaits further developments and responses from involved parties.