Hamas Leader Haniyeh's Death Escalates Tension. What Happens To Gaza Peace Talks

The killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh has escalated tensions in the Middle East, casting a shadow of doubt over the ceasefire deal in Gaza.

Protesters carry pictures of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in Iran, during a protest to condemn his killing.

Source : PTI

Middle East Tensions: The Middle East is on a boil following the rising tensions between Israel and Iran after the killings of top Hamas and Hezbollah leaders.

Amid the escalations in the region, Indian nationals in Israel have been asked to stay vigilant and adhere to the safety protocols. On Friday, the Embassy of India in Israel issued an advisory for all Indian nationals in the country.

"In view of the prevailing situation in the region, all Indian nationals in Israel are advised to stay vigilant and adhere to the safety protocols as advised by the local authorities," the embassy said in a post on X.

The advisory came after the Indian Embassy in Beirut strongly advised Indian nationals against travelling to Lebanon till further notice. The Indian nationals were also advised to leave Lebanon. Hamas said on Wednesday that its political chief Ismail Haniyeh was killed in “a treacherous Zionist raid on his residence in Tehran”.

On Tuesday, Israel killed Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut, a move it described as a response to rocket fire on the annexed Golan Heights.

Later, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed in Tehran. He was in Tehran for the swearing-in ceremony of Iran’s new president Masoud Pezeshkian.

Haniyeh, 62, was killed in the Iranian capital shortly after attending the swearing-in ceremony of Iran’s newly elected president The matter escalated further after Iran and the groups it supports vowed revenge for the killing.

Israel took responsibility for a strike in southern Beirut, during which Fuad Shukr was killed. Israel said that its military carried out a "precision strike" in Beirut on Tuesday that killed Shukr, who it said was responsible for the missile strike in Majdal Shams in the occupied Golan Heights on Saturday, which killed 12 children who were playing football.

However, Israel did not take responsibility for the killing of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on Wednesday, despite Hamas, Iran, and their allies blaming it for the attack.

Iran, Hezbollah Vow Revenge After Hamas Chief’s Death

Following Ismail Haniyeh’s death, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei announced revenge against Israel in Tehran and said that the country had prepared the ground for a severe punishment. Meanwhile, Iran has raised the red flag of revenge on the dome of the Jamkaran mosque in the city of Qom.

"Following this bitter, tragic event which has taken place within the borders of the Islamic Republic, it is our duty to take revenge," Khamenei said on X. The Iranian and Hamas leaders had vowed to take revenge against Israel during his funeral procession in Tehran on Thursday morning, The Times Of Israel reported.

Hezbollah's leader Hassan Nasrallah had also said that the war against the Jewish country had entered a "new phase" and that Israel should expect "rage and revenge".

IDF On 'High Alert' After Hamas, Hezbollah Killings

Amid rising threats of attack by Iran and Hezbollah, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that Israel is on "high alert" and is prepared to handle any threat in any scenario.

"Israel is in a state of very high readiness for any scenario – on both defense and offense. We will exact a very high price for any act of aggression against us from any quarter whatsoever," The Jerusalem Post quoted Netanyahu as saying.

Netanyahu also spoke with US President Joe Biden, who vowed support to Israel and laid emphasis on United States' commitment to defending Israel's security "against all threats from Iran".

US Denies Involvement In Haniyeh's Killing

Following Haniyeh’s death, the United States denied its involvement in his killing saying that Washington was not aware of it.

On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the US was not involved in the assassination of the Hamas leader. He further reiterated the importance of a ceasefire in Gaza.

"This is something we were not aware of or involved in. It's very hard to speculate," news agency Reuters, quoted Blinken as saying in an interview to Channel News Asia during his Singapore visit.

On being questioned about the likely impact of Haniyeh’s death on the war, Blinken said, "I've learned over many years never to speculate on the impact one event may have on something else".

What Happens To Gaza Peace Deal Talks?

With Haniyeh killed, the peace deal talks in Gaza hang in the balance. According to CNN, Haniyeh was in touch with mediators in Qatar and Egypt as recently as early July. 

Haniyeh’s death could “complicate mediation talks,” a source told CNN. The source said that Haniyeh was “instrumental” in getting certain breakthroughs in negotiations and, along with the Hamas military leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, was a “key decision maker.”

Speaking on the ceasefire deal, Blinken said that a ceasefire and the release of hostages being held in Gaza were crucial, and the United States would do everything to make that happen.

"It's vitally important to hopefully put things on a better path for more enduring peace and more enduring security, so that focus remains," he said, as quoted by Reuters.

On Thursday, U.S. President Joe Biden said that the killing of the Hamas leader does not help in reaching a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza war.

On being asked if Haniyeh's assassination hampered the chances for a ceasefire agreement, Biden said, "It doesn't help," as quoted by Reuters. The US President also said he had a direct conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier on Thursday.

After Haniyeh’s assassination, the question about his replacement looms large. There are a few names that are doing the rounds that can replace the slain Hamas leader.

According to news agency AP, the list includes the names of two deputies, Haniyeh Zaher Jabarin and Khaled Mashaal. The other names who can be Haniyeh’s likely replacements are Yahya Sinwar, who is considered a strong Hamas figure, and his deputy, Al Hayya. It is pertinent to mention that Yahiya Sinwar is the head of Hamas in the Gaza Strip.