In a recent statement, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has expressed his strong condemnation of the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the political bureau of Hamas. This pronouncement was made during a meeting with former Provincial Council members of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and the United National Party (UNP), where President Wickremesinghe emphasised his firm stance against such acts of violence.
Ismail Haniyeh, a prominent figure in the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas, was killed early on Wednesday morning in Tehran. The attack occurred at Haniyeh’s residence, where he and one of his bodyguards were martyred. The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has confirmed the incident, stating that their residence was targeted. The IRGC’s public relations office has indicated that the reasons behind the attack are still under investigation, with more details to be provided in due course.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has responded to the assassination by condemning it as a terrorist act perpetrated by the Israeli regime. In his remarks, Pezeshkian asserted that the Israeli government would face consequences for this action, which he described as an assault on the principles of international law and justice. The IRGC’s statement expressed condolences to the Palestinian and Iranian people, and to the broader Islamic community, for the loss of Haniyeh and his bodyguard.
The assassination of Haniyeh, who was in Tehran to attend the inauguration of President Masoud Pezeshkian, has prompted a strong reaction from Hamas. Mousa Abu Marzook, a member of the Hamas Political Bureau, has vowed to seek revenge for Haniyeh’s death. Marzook condemned the attack as a cowardly act and insisted that Hamas would respond to the assassination in due course.
President Wickremesinghe, in his address, highlighted the importance of adhering to international law and respecting national sovereignty. He called for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflicts in the region, highlighting the necessity for diplomatic and lawful approaches in addressing such grave issues. His remarks reflect a commitment to promoting stability and justice on the global stage amid rising tensions and violence.
