Hamas Leader Haniyeh Assassinated In Iran By Israeli Strike

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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.

Israel had vowed to kill Hamas leaders soon after the group’s incursion on Oct. 7.

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.

An Israeli military statement quickly owned up to the attack: "The IDF targeted in Beirut the commander responsible for the murder of the children in Majdal Shams and killed many Israeli civilians," a translated statement said.

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.

Earlier, a weekend missile attack from Lebanon (widely blamed on Hezbollah) killed 12 young people playing on a soccer field in the occupied Golan town of Majdal Shams.

Foreign Minister Katz told a state broadcaster over the weekend, "There is no doubt that Hezbollah crossed all red lines." And soon after that, the country's war cabinet authorized the military to retaliate.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has announced just after the Tuesday Beirut strikes, "Hezbollah crossed the Red Line."

Harrowing footage of the strike aftermath points to large-scale casualties given it is a densely-packed civilian area...

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

Israel is quickly signaling that this was a 'limited' attack and that it doesn't seek full war in Lebanon. "At the moment, there are no changes in the Home Front Command defensive guidelines," the IDF said.

Bloomberg's live blog has cited Rosalind Mathieson, the outlet's news director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, who comments:

There are signs Israel was aiming for an action that sent a message without triggering a full blown war with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Netanyahu has also been opening the door to fresh talks for a cease-fire with Hamas on Gaza - and that wouldn’t be possible if Israel is engaged in a ground conflict with Hezbollah.

Several Israeli news outlets reported earlier this week that the government was seeking a “limited but significant” action that sends a strong message to Hezbollah but ensures the situation doesn’t spiral out of control.

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

developing...

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