'Won't Go Unanswered': Hamas Blames Israel For Ismail Haniyeh's Killing; Russia Says 'Political Murder' Will Derail Gaza Peace Efforts

Hamas Chief Killed: Palestinian Islamist militant outfit Hamas has vowed vengeance for the assassination of its political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh, who, as per the group, was killed in a "Zionist airstrike on his residence" in the Iranian capital of Tehran during the wee hours of Wednesday. The killing of Haniyeh, who was considered the overall leader of Hamas, has escalated tensions in a region already shaken by Israel's war in Gaza and a worsening conflict in Lebanon.

"The assassination of leader Ismail Haniyeh is a cowardly act and will not go unanswered," Hamas political bureau member Musa Abu Marzuk said in a statement cited by news agency AFP. Meanwhile, blaming the incident on Israel, senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said, "This assassination by the Israeli occupation of Brother Haniyeh is a grave escalation that aims to break the will of Hamas." 

Hamas Chief Killed: International Community Reacts

Moscow has described the assassination of Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh as "an absolutely unacceptable political murder", Russian state news agency RIA reported on Wednesday. "This is an absolutely unacceptable political murder, and it will lead to further escalation of tensions," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov was quited as saying by RIA.

Bogdanov also asserted that the killing will adversely impact the efforts for a ceasefire in war-ravaged Gaza, where Israeli forces and Hamas militants continue to be in a months-long armed conflict. Russia, which has ties with Arab countries, Iran and Hamas as well as with Israel, has frequently condemned violence in West Asia and accused the US of ignoring the need for an independent Palestinian state.

Turkey, a NATO member, has also condemned the killing of the Hamas top boss, which purportedly took place in the wee hours of Wednesday in the Iranian capital of Tehran. Blaming Israel for the assassination, Turkey's foreign ministry said, "It has been revealed once again that the government of [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu has no intention of achieving peace."

(With inputs from agencies)