Lebanese premier warns against consequences of Israel's bombing of Beirut, assassination of Hamas politburo chief

By Rania Abu Shamala

ISTANBUL (AA) - Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned on Wednesday the Israeli bombing of the southern suburbs of Beirut and the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the political bureau of Hamas, in the Iranian capital Tehran.

​​​​​​​Israel announced Tuesday evening the attack on key Hezbollah leader Fouad Shukr following an airstrike targeting a residential building in Beirut.

At the beginning of an emergency Cabinet session, Mikati condemned the bombing of Beirut, saying: “We raise our voices warning of a potential worsening of the situation if the enemy (Israel) continues with its reckless and murderous criminal behavior.”

The airstrike resulted in the deaths of two children and a woman, and injured 74 others, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.

Mikati said that "yesterday's incident shifted the situation from a state of conflict to an open state of danger with significant concerns, due to the Israeli assault on the capital which resulted in innocent victims."

“We strongly condemn the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the political bureau of Hamas. We see this act as a serious threat that could expand the scope of global concern and danger in the region,” he added.

The Palestinian resistance group Hamas announced earlier that Haniyeh was killed in an Israeli airstrike on his residence in Tehran.

Mikati called on “the world, which is witnessing Israel's crimes, to force it to cease fire, adhere to international resolutions and laws, and implement (UN Security Council) Resolution 1701.”

"Lebanon does not seek war but aims to preserve the dignity of its people and its sovereignty over land, sea, and air, without compromising its rights,” he emphasized.

Israel, flouting a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire, has faced international condemnation amid its continued brutal offensive on Gaza since an Oct. 7, 2023 attack by Hamas.