Ismail Haniyeh Dies, The Future Of The Middle East Is Increasingly Unclear

JAKARTA When a mysterious air missile strike hit the house where Ismail Haniyeh lived in Tehran, Iran on July 30, 2024, people thought the Hamas leader was safe. But the facts say otherwise, Haniyeh was killed.

Something very unexpected. Imagine, Haniyeh came to Tehran in capacity as a state guest for attending the inauguration of the new Iranian President, Masoud Pezeshkian. He is also reportedly very closely guarded, to ensure his safety.

Flashback for a moment, Iran has not actually recovered properly from shock after the presidential helicopter crash that occurred in East Azerbaijan Province, northern Iran on May 19. The accident killed Ebrahim Raisi, Iran's predecessor Pezeskhian.

The incident made a statement about the security of Iran's airspace. What is clear is that after the attack that killed Haniyeh, Hamas immediately accused Israel of being the culprit. Iran acted stupid, did not want to admit that they would take care of Haniyeh. Iran actually accused Israel of being the cause of Haniyeh's death.

This is a terrorist and criminal act of the Zionist regime. They are building a basis for legalizing a sentence for themselves. It is our duty to take revenge for the blood of Ismail Haniyeh, who was martyred in the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran," said Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran's Supreme Leader in an official appeal spread throughout the world.

Israel itself has yet to make an open and official confession that the airstrikes that killed Haniyeh were their actions. But PM Benjamin Netanyahu in a speech in Tel Aviv said Haniyeh's death was a major blow to Iran and Hamas.

"Challenging days will soon arrive. But we will always be ready to face all scenarios. Anyone who tries to carry out aggression against Israel will suffer the consequences," Netanyahu said, quoted by The Times of Israel.

Hours before the attack that killed Haniyeh, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) killed Fuad Shukr, one of Hezbollah's highest military leaders in fighting in Beirut, Lebanon. Hamas and Hezbollah are indeed two very anti-Israeli organizations.

Ali Khamenei's call for revenge is a sign that a major war will occur. The axis of resistance against Israel, such as Hamas, Hezbollah, Shia militias in Iraq, and Houthis in Yemen are predicted to increase the escalation of attacks on the Jewish Country.

In just overnight the deaths of Haniyeh and Shukr, two top Iranian-backed militant groups, could ignite a bigger conflict in the Middle East.

On October 7, 2023, the world was shocked by Hamas' attack on a group of young Israelis who were partying in southern Israel, near the border with Palestinian-controlled Gaza. The attack killed hundreds of civilians, and dragged 250 Israelis hostage in Gaza.

Since then Israel has been determined to kill every senior Hamas official, and anyone related to them.

"Let every Arab mother know that if her son participates in the October 7 massacre, it means he has signed his own death certificate," said David Barnea, head of Israeli spy agency, Mossad.

The threat was declared. Starting in January with the death of one of Hamas officials, Saleh Al-Arouri in Lebanon. Then April, an Israeli jet raid destroyed the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria and killed one of the senior military commanders of the Persian State.

The deaths of Heniyeh and Shukr were a major blow to Israeli enemies. Iran is no exception, which clearly feels insulted and harassed because it is deemed incapable of protecting important guests staying in military housing. In the midst of the capital Tehran too!

What happened to Haniyeh in Tehran was a crushing blow to Iranian security forces. That's why Iran feels the need to immediately respond to this problem, "said Abas kazi, researcher at the Center for Middle Eastern Strategic Studies in Tehran, as quoted by Al Jazeera.

Haniyeh's murder will clearly complicate the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel. Haniyeh is a key figure in a ceasefire with Israel attempt. He is one of the loudest voices in favor of the ceasefire. Haniyeh is described as a pragmatic figure and has good relations with regional figures.

The ceasefire and peace efforts of Hamas-Israel have even been discussed in China. Last month China facilitated a meeting of 14 Palestinian political factions in Beijing to unite, reach unity of thought, and deals on peace in its country.

Gulf countries that are allies of the United States have also tried to become intermediaries, in an effort to end the fighting in Gaza, which has been burning for months.

"How is it possible that mediation and peace will occur if each party kills each other?" wrote Qatar Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani in his social media account.

There is an analysis that says Haniyeh's murder was an attempt to get rid of Hamas from the Palestinian unity movement. Haniyeh had indeed argued that Israel was deliberately avoiding a ceasefire, and did not want to end the war.

Ismail Haniyeh's death may not stop Hamas' actions. But on the other hand, the prospect of a ceasefire also seems smaller. It is likely that the regional war in the Middle East will burn even more real.