Hamas leader assassinated by explosive device smuggled into guesthouse 2 months ago: Report

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) - Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated Wednesday with a hidden explosive that was smuggled into the guesthouse where he was residing, according to a report Thursday.

The New York Times, citing seven Middle Eastern officials, including two Iranians and an American official, said the bomb was hidden approximately two months ago in the guesthouse in Tehran.

Haniyeh was in Tehran for the presidential inauguration.

Two members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps who were briefed on the incident said the explosion rocked the building, shattered windows and caused part of an exterior wall to collapse.

Iranian officials and Hamas said Wednesday that Israel was behind the killing, but the Times said that conclusion was also reached by several US officials, who the newspaper said requested anonymity.

Israel has not yet claimed responsibility for the death of the Hamas leader.

The report, however, said Israeli intelligence officials briefed the US and other Western governments on details of the operation in its immediate aftermath.

YS Secretary of State Antony Blinken earlier called on all parties in the Middle East to de-escalate tensions and urgently achieve a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has killed more than 39,000 Palestinian victims since Oct. 7.