Hamas political chief Ismail Haniya was killed in an attack in Tehran. One expert speaks of a “humiliation for Iran”. All developments in the news blog.
The most important things at a glance
16:06: After Israel, Iran also blames the USA for the death of the political leader of the Islamist Hamas, Ismail Haniya. “The USA is also responsible for this brutal act of terror,” said a statement from the Iranian Foreign Ministry. Washington has always supported the Israeli government and always supported its crimes. Therefore, the USA also played a role in this incident.
Baerbock calls for restraint and warns of wildfire
15:26: Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warns of a conflagration in the Middle East and calls for prudence. “Every decision that is made now can lead to a relaxation of the situation or add fuel to the fire,” says the Green politician. “I therefore call on everyone who now bears responsibility, especially Iran, to show maximum restraint and to de-escalate in the interests of the people in the region.” The chance for a ceasefire and the release of the Israeli hostages must not be squandered.
3.20pm: Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz has reiterated that a major regional war can only be prevented by the immediate implementation of a UN resolution calling for the withdrawal of the Lebanese Hezbollah militia from the border area. In a letter to dozens of counterparts around the world, Katz wrote that by killing senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr, Israel had “sent a clear message: We will act with great force against anyone who harms us.”
The minister called on the international community to support Israel’s demand for Hezbollah to withdraw to the area north of the Litani River, which is about 30 kilometers from the border between Israel and Lebanon. “Tens of thousands of Israeli residents who were forced to leave their homes in northern Israel must return home safely,” Katz wrote.
15:05: The Israeli government does not want to comment on the death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniya. “We are not commenting on this specific incident,” says spokesman David Mencer. Israel feels committed to the negotiations for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. It wants an agreement to release the hostages held by Hamas.
2:54 p.m.: According to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the United States was not involved in the violent death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniya. The US government also knew nothing about the killing, Blinken told local broadcaster Channel News Asia (CNA) during a visit to Singapore.
Blinken again stressed the need for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip to reduce tensions in the Middle East. “We will keep working until we get there,” he said. A ceasefire is not only crucial to ending the suffering of the Palestinians in the region, but also to bring the hostages home.
“One of the things we have been focused on is to ensure that the conflict (…) does not spread, does not spill over into other places, does not escalate, and we will continue to do that,” he adds.
12.36 pm: Following the violent death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniya, the German government is warning against a further escalation of the situation in the Middle East. “We call on all actors to exercise maximum restraint. The logic of mutual retaliation is a mistake,” a spokesman for the Foreign Office told journalists in Berlin. He called on people to keep a cool head and do everything possible to de-escalate the situation. “The chance for a hostage agreement and a ceasefire in Gaza must not be squandered now.”
Deputy government spokesman Wolfgang Büchner says the federal government is doing everything it can with its partners and is using all diplomatic channels to prevent an escalation and a regional conflagration. The entire region is “in an extremely dangerous situation” and no one can have an interest in further fueling this. Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) is in close contact with EU partners and representatives of the Middle East region, the Foreign Office spokesman added. “Diplomacy is running at full speed and our common goal is to help de-escalate the situation.”
