This is a translation of a statement released by the Palestinian group Hamas after the assassination of its political leader Ismail Haniyeh in the Iranian capital, Tehran.
“In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. (And do not think that those who are killed in the way of Allah are dead. Nay, they are alive with their Lord, fed.)
The Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas mourns our great Palestinian people, the Arab and Islamic nation, and all the free peoples of the world: brother, leader, martyr, mujahid Ismail Haniyeh.
The leader of the movement was killed in a treacherous Zionist raid on his residence in Tehran, after he participated in the inauguration ceremony of the new Iranian president.
“We belong to God and to Him we shall return. And it is a struggle, a victory or a martyrdom.”
“Major repercussions throughout the region”
Hamas’ military wing, the Qassam Brigades, called Haniyeh’s assassination a “dangerous event.”
This is a translation of the statement:
“With the highest expressions of pride and honor, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades announce to our struggling Palestinian people, to our Arab and Islamic nations and to the free peoples of the world, the martyrdom of leader Ismail Abdul Salam Haniyeh, commander of the Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas.
He was martyred as a result of a cowardly Zionist assassination operation targeting his residence in Tehran. In response to this Nazi crime, we affirm the following:
First of all, the leader and fighter Abu al-Abd came to power after a life full of dedication, struggle and sacrifice. Throughout his journey, he accompanied the various stages of the movement’s development and struggle, leaving clear contributions and traces at different times. He gave a lot to the Palestinian cause and played an important role in strengthening the resistance, unifying the nation’s efforts and directing the compass towards Jerusalem.
His life culminated in martyrdom during the noblest battle, “the flood of Al-Aqsa”, waged by our people and the free peoples of our nation to defend Al-Aqsa and its holy sites.
Second, the criminal assassination of leader Haniyeh in the heart of the Iranian capital is a significant and dangerous event that moves the battle to new dimensions and will have major repercussions throughout the region.
The enemy has miscalculated by expanding the scope of its aggression, assassinating resistance leaders in various areas, and violating the sovereignty of the states in the region. The criminal Netanyahu, blinded by delusions of grandeur, is leading the occupying entity towards the abyss, accelerating its collapse and final expulsion from the Palestinian territory.
Third, it is necessary to put an end to this Zionist recklessness and to curb the enemy that interferes in the internal affairs of Palestine, in order to prevent any new aggression. The enemy’s incessant crimes on various fronts sound the alarm for all nations and peoples in the region, obliging everyone to support and back the resistance in Palestine. This resistance serves as the first line of defense for the entire nation, which is why the enemy strives to crush and subdue it in order to focus on a broader aggression against the nations and peoples of the region.
Fourth, the blood of our leader Ismail Haniyeh, mixed today with the blood of the children, women, youth and elders of Gaza, as well as the blood of our people and fighters, underlines that the resistance and its leaders are at the heart of the battle alongside their people. This precious blood will not be shed in vain, but will light the path to liberation. The enemy will pay for its aggression with its own blood in Gaza, the West Bank and within its borders, wherever our fighters arrive by the will of God.