Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in the early hours of the morning in Iran, the Palestinian militant group confirmed on Wednesday.
The killing has raised concerns about further escalation in a region already destabilized by Israel's war in Gaza and increasing conflict in Lebanon.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards have confirmed Haniyeh's death, which occurred hours after he attended a swearing-in ceremony for the country's new president.
The Guards stated they were investigating the incident, according to Reuters.
Israel has not commented on the assassination.
The Israeli military reported it was conducting a situational assessment but had not issued new security guidelines for civilians.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated that Washington would work to ease tensions but reiterated the United States' commitment to defend Israel if attacked.
Impact on Ceasefire Prospects
The assassination came less than 24 hours after Israel claimed to have killed a Hezbollah commander responsible for a deadly strike in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. This development appears to diminish the chances of an imminent ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
"This assassination by the Israeli occupation of Brother Haniyeh is a grave escalation that aims to break the will of Hamas," senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters.
He affirmed that Hamas would continue its path and expressed confidence in their ultimate victory.
Palestinian Reactions
Iran's top security body is expected to meet to determine its strategy in response to Haniyeh's death.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the killing, and factions in the occupied West Bank have called for a general strike and mass demonstrations.
The International Criminal Court had recently requested an arrest warrant for Haniyeh over alleged war crimes, alongside a similar request against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
