First statement from Netanyahu regarding the assassination of Haniye: We dealt a heavy blow to Iran's proxy forces.

The Political Bureau Chairman of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, was assassinated in Tehran, where he was attending the inauguration ceremony of Mesud Pezeshkian, who won the presidential election in Iran. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the first statement after the assassination.

The Political Bureau Chairman of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, was assassinated in the capital Tehran, where he was attending the inauguration ceremony of Mesud Pezeshkian, who won the presidential election in Iran. Hamas confirmed Haniyeh's death, stating, "Haniyeh was killed as a result of a Zionist attack in Tehran." Hamas and the Iranian Revolutionary Guards stated that Israel was behind the attack.

NETANYAHU'S FIRST STATEMENT

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu made his first statement after the assassination following the cabinet meeting held at the Kirya Military Base in the capital Tel Aviv in the evening. Netanyahu said, without directly mentioning Haniyeh, "We dealt a heavy blow to Iran's proxy forces." Netanyahu also stated, "Israel will make those who carry out aggression pay a heavy price. We are prepared for any threat, any scenario."

HANIYEH ASSASSINATION

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was in Tehran to attend the inauguration ceremony of Iranian President Mesud Pezeshkian. The Iranian Revolutionary Guards announced in a statement on July 31 that an attack was carried out on Haniyeh's residence in Tehran. Iran and the Hamas Movement held Israel responsible for the cowardly assassination.

Ismail Haniyeh, born in a refugee camp in Gaza in 1962, was an important figure since the establishment of Hamas. Haniyeh, who was imprisoned by Israel several times, survived an assassination attempt by Israel in 2003. Three years later, after Hamas won the elections, Haniyeh briefly served as the Prime Minister of Palestine. In 2017, he was elected as the Chairman of Hamas' Political Bureau. Haniyeh led the Hamas delegation in negotiations mediated by Qatar, the US, and Egypt.