Conflict Risk Rises Sharply In Middle East

Asem Mustafa Awan
Islamabad: Mourners gathered at a Qatari mosque on Friday to bid farewell to Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh following his assassination in Tehran, an act attributed to Israel that has heightened fears of a broader conflict in the region.
Haniyeh, the political chief of Hamas, was instrumental in mediated talks aimed at ending nearly 10 months of warfare between Hamas and Israel in Gaza.
The killing of Haniyeh has incited calls for retribution and raised doubts about the ongoing viability of such negotiations. Haniyeh, residing in Doha along with other Hamas political office members, will be interred in Lusail, north of Qatar’s capital, after funeral prayers at the Imam Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab mosque.
This incident is one among several since April that have escalated regional tensions during the Gaza war, which has involved Iran-backed militant groups from Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen.

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Turkey and Pakistan declared a day of mourning on Friday to honor Haniyeh, while Hamas urged for a “day of furious rage.” By the time of the prayers, thousands of mourners had already arrived at the Doha mosque, donning scarves with Palestinian flags or traditional keffiyeh patterns.
Haniyeh and a bodyguard were killed in a pre-dawn strike on their accommodation in Tehran early Wednesday, as reported by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. He was in Iran to attend President Masoud Pezeshkian’s swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday.
There are discussions of either a simultaneous response from Iran and its allies or staggered reactions from each group. Hezbollah and Israeli forces have engaged in near-daily exchanges of fire during the Gaza war.
The assassination of Haniyeh follows the killing of other key figures such as Hezbollah’s military commander Fuad Shukr in Beirut and Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif in Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that Israel had dealt “crushing blows” to all their enemies.
In Tehran, thousands mourned Haniyeh during a public funeral led by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who earlier promised “harsh punishment” for the killing. Haniyeh’s coffin was then transported to Doha for burial. Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref attended the ceremonies in Doha, emphasizing Iran’s commitment to seeking revenge.
US President Joe Biden expressed concern over the rising tensions and noted that Haniyeh’s killing had exacerbated the situation. He called for a ceasefire, stressing the need to focus on securing peace in Gaza. Biden’s administration continues to support Israel’s security against threats from Iran.

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Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared August 2 as a day of mourning, condemning the assassination as a blatant breach of international law. Sharif, addressing the National Assembly, highlighted the significant loss of life and ongoing violence in Palestine, criticizing Israel’s disregard for international rulings and resolutions.
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Iran’s President Pezeshkian also condemned the assassination and vowed retaliation.
The international community has called for calm and a renewed focus on peace negotiations, although the path forward remains uncertain amid escalating hostilities.

Asem Mustafa Awan has extensive reporting experience with leading national and international media organizations. He has also contributed to reference books such as the Alpine Journal and the American Alpine Journal, among other international publications.