Switzerland deeply concerned over 'high risks of escalation' in Mideast

By Nur Asena Erturk

The Swiss Foreign Ministry on Wednesday expressed its deep concerns over the “high risks of escalation” in the Middle East following the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh.

“Switzerland is deeply concerned about the high risks of escalation in the region,” the ministry wrote on X.

“It urges all actors to exercise the utmost restraint and to prioritize the diplomatic path in order to ease tensions,” it also said.

Early Wednesday, the Palestinian group Hamas announced that Haniyeh was killed in an Israeli airstrike on his residence in Tehran.

The Iranian state television confirmed Haniyeh's death, saying an investigation is underway and that the findings will be released soon.

Israel has yet to make an official statement regarding the airstrike on Haniyeh's residence.

Haniyeh’s assassination came as Israel continued its devastating military campaign in the Gaza Strip that killed more than 39,400 and injured over 91,000 since Oct. 7, 2023 following a Hamas attack.