Hamas Leader Haniyeh Assassinated In Iran By Israeli Strike

ZERO HEDGE

Wednesday, Jul 31, 

Update (2310ET): Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps has confirmed the death of Ismail Haniyeh, the top political leader of Hamas, during an inauguration event for Iran’s new president. Haniyeh, who is based in Qatar, and an Iranian security guard were reportedly killed at their place of residence.

The attack follows a strike by Israel on Beirut on Tuesday that targeted senior Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr. Shukr, reportedly the mastermind behind a recent attack that killed 12 children in the Golan Heights, is believed to have died in the strike. The Lebanese health ministry reported that the strike killed three civilians, including two children, and injured 74 others.

The death of the Hamas leader took place just hours after a significant portion of Israeli airspace was closed for unexplained reasons.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had vowed a stern response to the Golan Heights strike, which Hezbollah denied responsibility for. Lebanon’s current prime minister condemned the airstrike and plans to file a complaint with the U.N. Security Council.In Tehran, during the inauguration of President Masoud Pezeshkian, senior figures from groups within Iran’s “axis of resistance,” including Haniyeh, were present.

Shortly after his speech asserting support for Palestinians, news of Haniyeh’s assassination broke. Immediately after the news of Haniyeh's death broke, multiple reports emerged that Hamas vengeance would be swift. Member of the Hamas Political Bureau, Musa Abu Marzouk said that the assassination of Haniyeh is a cowardly act and will not be in vain.

The price of oil rose after the report hitting a session high.

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Update(1715ET): The Lebanese government has condemned the "blatant act of aggression" following the Israeli airstrikes on southern Beirut. While some reports have claimed US warships are moving closer to Lebanon in the wake of the crisis, the reality is that American warships and military assets were already in the eastern Mediterranean region.

Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA) has reported that a female civilian was killed after a building was destroyed in Haret Hreik, in Beirut's sout. "Sixty-eight civilians were injured, five of whom were critically injured, while the rest suffered moderate to minor injuries. Most of them were treated in emergency departments and were discharged from hospitals," NNA said. 

More footage has emerged showing the extent of damage.

Currently there are contrasting reports over whether or not Israel took out its target - Fuad Shukr, said to be a commander that oversaw the deadly weekend Hezbollah rocket salvo that left 12 dead in a Golan town.

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Israel's anticipated big 'retaliation' has begun, apparently, after major airstrikes were felt in the Lebanese capital of Beirut. Large smoke clouds were seen above a suburb in southern neighborhoods, sparking momentary panic and a large emergency response amid reported casualties.

The destruction is large in scale, and took place at around 8pm local time in the Haret Hreik neighborhood, still within daylight hours just before nightfall.

Given already there have long been fears of 'all-out' war in Lebanon, oil jumped on news of the attack.

More footage showing the large scale of the aerial bombing...

Many regional analysts believe that a broader war in Lebanon will draw in Iran-backed groups and actors across the region, eventually leading to an open war between Tehran and Tel Aviv. Hezbollah sources are meanwhile denying that Israel killed the senior commander that was targeted on Tuesday.

TOP HEZBOLLAH COMMANDER TARGETED IN ISRAELI STRIKE ON BEIRUT SUBURBS HAS SURVIVED, TWO SECURITY SOURCES TELL REUTERS

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