By Gizem Nisa Cebi
ISTANBUL (AA) — Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated early Wednesday in Tehran, with varying reports emerging about the method of the attack.
The New York Times revealed that an explosive device, smuggled and hidden by Israeli spy agency Mossad in Haniyeh's residence for about two months, was detonated remotely after confirming his presence.
The daily said the "explosive device was covertly smuggled into the Tehran guesthouse," run by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), and hidden for about two months, according to seven Middle Eastern officials, including two Iranians, and an American official.
"The bomb was detonated remotely" after confirming Haniyeh's presence in his room, five officials claimed.
The blast caused severe damage to the building, including the partial collapse of an exterior wall, and shattered windows, according to two Iranian officials.
Axios corroborated that Mossad operatives were behind the assassination, reporting that a high-tech device using artificial intelligence was used to kill Haniyeh.
It cited two sources with knowledge on the issue, reporting that Israeli operatives learned which facility and which exact room Haniyeh was staying in during his visits to Tehran.
According to the news website, the bomb was planted in the room in advance and detonated remotely by Mossad operatives who were on Iranian soil after receiving intelligence that Haniyeh was in the room. It reported that Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) opened an investigation into the incident.
On the other hand, Iranian news agency Farsnews attributed the attack to Israeli operatives but said the residence was struck by a projectile.
The attack, which also killed one of Haniyeh's bodyguards, targeted the fourth-floor apartment in the Zafaranieh area, it added.
Initial investigations confirmed that the operation was orchestrated by the Israeli regime, reported Farsnews.
It also said Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has labeled the incident "a terrorist act by the Zionist regime."
Haniyeh was assassinated on Wednesday in the Iranian capital, Tehran. While Hamas and Iran blamed Israel for the killing, Tel Aviv has not confirmed or denied its responsibility.
The assassination came a day after Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Beirut’s southern suburb.
Fears have grown about a full-blown war between Israel and Hezbollah amid an exchange of cross-border attacks between the two sides.
The escalation came against the backdrop of a deadly Israeli onslaught on Gaza which has killed nearly 39,500 people since last October following an attack by Hamas.