RAMALLAH/TEHRAN/MOSCOW – Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday called for unity and patience, as Russia, China and others nations in their immediate reaction condemned the assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh.

On the other hand, Iran said it would “make Israel regret” the cowardly action, as the oil-rich nation saw the Hamas leader killed on its soil in what is stated to be an attack carried out through a guided missile.

In a statement, Abbas strongly condemned the attack carried out on the Iranian soil, calling it resulting a cowardly act and a dangerous development.

At the same time, he urged the Palestinians to unite and be patient and remain steadfast in the face of Israeli occupation.

The latest addition to the killings of Palestinian leaders at the hands of Israel comes just days after Fatah, Hamad and factions signed the “Beijing Declaration”. The document, which is a product of months-long Chinese diplomacy, aims at ending differences among different Palestinian groups.

It was the Oslo Accords signed by the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) and Israel which resulted in serious differences among the Palestinian groups. Both Hamas and Islamic Jihad as well as the Israeli far right opposed the move.

REVENGE IS IRAN’S DUTY

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei promised harsh punishment for “the criminal and terrorist Zionist regime” of Israel, as Iran announced a three-day mourning.

Referring to the different Iran-backed groups active in the region against Israel, he said “the great resistance front is in mourning.”

“The criminal and terrorist Zionist regime martyred our dear guest in our house and made us bereaved, but it also prepared the ground for a harsh punishment for itself.”

Separately, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in a statement said Israel will face “a harsh and painful response” from Iran and its allies.

FASCIST NETANYAHU DRAGGING MIDDLE EAST INTO CONFLICT

A senior Palestinian politician Mustafa Barghouti said the fascist Israeli government was trying to push the whole region into a global confrontation, Al Jazeera reported.

“What Netanyahu did is a clear indication that he wants a regional war and he wants to drag to the United States into a confrontation with Iran, not only with Palestinians,” Barghouti said.

WILL PROTECT TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY AND DIGNITY

In a statement, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian vowed that Tehran will defend its territorial integrity and dignity.

“Today, dear Iran is mourning its sharer of sorrows and joys, the constant and proud companion of the path of resistance, the brave leader of the Palestinian resistance, the martyr of al-Quds, Haj Ismail Haniyeh. Yesterday I raised his victorious hand and today I have to bury him on my shoulders.”

He said, “Martyrdom is the art of men of God. The bond between the two proud nations of Iran and Palestine will be stronger than before, and the path of resistance and defense of the oppressed will be followed stronger than ever.”

“The Islamic Republic of Iran will defend its territorial integrity, honor, dignity and pride, and make the terrorist occupiers regret their cowardly action,” Pezeshkian warned.

BLOOD WILL NEVER BE WASTED

Iranian media quoted a foreign ministry spokesman as saying that Haniyeh’s “blood will never be wasted”.

“Haniyeh’s martyrdom in Tehran will strengthen the deep and unbreakable bond between Tehran, Palestine, and the resistance,” Nasser Kanaani added.

On the other hand, a meeting of the country’s Supreme National Security Council and senior commanders from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have convened to discuss the possible response to Haniyeh’s assassination.

The development comes as some experts believe Iran would have to respond, which will have grave consequences for regional peace and security. They are arguing that the assassination has carried out on its soil, causing great embarrassment to Tehran. Israel had earlier also targeted its consulate in Damascus.

Moreover, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu doesn’t want peace in the region and the latest move is an attempt to drag Iran into a wider conflict.

UNACCEPTABLE POLITICAL MURDER

Russian president’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told media persons that the Kremlin “strongly condemned” the killing of the Hamas chief.

“We believe that such actions are directed against attempts to restore peace in the region and could significant destabilize an already tense situation.”

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov in his reaction earlier in the day described Haniyeh’s assassination as “an absolutely unacceptable political murder.

“This is an absolutely unacceptable political murder, and it will lead to further escalation of tensions,” he told state-run news agency RIA. The killing will also have a negative impact on ceasefire talks in Gaza, Bogdanov added.

REGIONAL INSTABILITY

China condemned the Haniyeh’s killing, as foreign ministry spokesperson warned of further instability in an already volatile Middle East region. Beijing “is deeply concerned that this incident may lead to further instability in the regional situation”, he added.

He also stressed the need for Gaza achieving a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire as soon as possible.

SLIPPING INTO CHAOS

In a statement, Qatar’s foreign ministry condemned the killing “in the strongest terms”. It warned that “this assassination and the reckless Israeli behavior of continuously targeting civilians in Gaza will lead to the region slipping into chaos and undermine the chances of peace”.

Later, Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani questioned the chances for negotiations to succeed following the brazen attack.

“How can mediation succeed when one party assassinates the negotiator on the other side?” said in a statement posted on X.

He said “peace needs serious partners” and “a global stance against the disregard for human life.

HEINOUS ASSASSINATION

The Turkish Foreign Ministry said Haniyeh’s killing “once again demonstrates that Israel’s Netanyahu government has no intention of achieving peace”.

It also urged the international community to stop Israel for taking provocative actions, the absence of which will result in the region facing much larger conflicts.