Palestinian president says Iran may respond to Israel in coming hours over Hamas leader assassination

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) – Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Wednesday that Iran may respond to Israel in the coming hours over the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, although Palestine does not seek war.

"A decision may be made within the next few days or even the next few hours," Abbas said in an interview with Russia's TASS news agency.

He added that there are "intense dialogues between many countries," and the pressing question is the level of response Iran may have to Haniyeh's death.

Abbas noted that the US is actively involved in the negotiations and suggested that Washington's pressure could push the situation toward further escalation.

The Palestinian leader stressed that the key issue is the decision each country will ultimately make and the risks they are prepared to take.

He also criticized the US for blocking international recognition of Palestine and hindering the peace process, despite previously adopted resolutions.

Abbas praised Russia's efforts in the Middle East, noting that Moscow has always supported Palestine.

"I don't recall Russia ever mistreating us or speaking against us. No matter what we asked for, they were always ready to help," he said.

He also emphasized that Palestine would never agree to exclude Russia from the Middle East Quartet on the Palestinian-Israeli settlement, which includes the EU, UN, US, and Russia.

Flouting a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate cease-fire, Israel has faced international condemnation amid its continued brutal offensive on Gaza since an attack last October by the Palestinian resistance group Hamas.

Nearly 40,000 people have since been killed, mostly children and women, and over 92,000 others injured, according to local health authorities.

Israeli forces have also been conducting regular raids across various areas of the West Bank, which have escalated since the onset of the Gaza conflict on Oct. 7, 2023. Palestinians have also faced violent attacks by illegal Israeli settlers.

Since then, at least 630 Palestinians have been killed, and nearly 5,400 others injured by Israeli army fire in the occupied territory, according to the Health Ministry.

The International Court of Justice has accused Israel of genocide and ordered a halt to its military operations in the southern city of Rafah, where over a million Palestinians had sought refuge before the city was invaded on May 6.