KABUL (Pajhwok): The assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran has evoked strong reactions from Afghan officials.
Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran on Wednesday, the Palestinian group announced, blaming Israel for killing its political chief along with a bodyguard.
Haniyeh was in Iran’s capital to attend the inauguration of Iran’s new President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned against a “dangerous escalation” of hostilities in the region.
Current and former Afghan officials condemned the strike as a criminal act and expressed their views about its impact.
Abdul Salam Zaeef, former ambassador of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Islamabad, described Haniyeh as "the most ortured and afflicted political figure in the Islamic world" and prayed for his soul.
Hafiz Anas Haqqani, a senior official of the IEA, called the martyrdom of Haniyeh a significant loss but regretted the assassination of such figures continued to fuel the struggle for freedom.
Zakir Jalali, director of Third Political Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said such acts bolstered the jihadist struggle and contributed to the cause of Al-Aqsa's freedom.
Police spokesman Khalid Zadran said Haniyeh's death, though tragic, strengthened the resolve of jihadist movements and underlined Muslim unity against oppression.
Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, head of the National Reconciliation Council during the previous government, condemned the killing as a "terrorist, criminal act" and expressed condolences to Haniyeh’s family and the Palestinian people.
He criticised the Israeli regime for its "crime and cruelty" and highlighted the widespread international support for the Palestinians.
Fazal Hadi Muslimyar, former senate chairman, also voiced sorrow over Haniyeh’s death, recognising his contributions to Palestinian independence, peace and prosperity.
<strong>Who was Haniyeh?</strong>
Haniyeh, born in Gaza in 1962, was a prominent leader of the Palestinian struggle against Israel. He studied at the Islamic University of Gaza and joined Hamas in 1980. Haniyeh became a key figure in the movement and was elected as its chief in 2017.
His family suffered immensely due to Israeli attacks; his three sons and four grandsons were killed in an airstrike in April. His other close relatives have also been killed.
Haniyeh faced frequent imprisonment and deportations by Israeli authorities but continued his resistance under all circumstances.
He lived in Qatar in recent years and remained an influential figure in Palestinian politics until his death.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has ordered a direct strike on Israel in retaliation for the killing of the Hamas chief in Tehran.
sa/mud
