Tehran: Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has ordered Iran to directly attack Israel in retaliation for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, three Iranian officials said. The officials said Khamenei gave the order at an emergency meeting of Iran's Supreme National Security Council on Wednesday.

The Hamas leader and one of his bodyguards were killed in an airstrike on Wednesday morning that targeted a building where they were staying. On Tuesday, Haniyeh was in Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Hamas has blamed Israel for the attack.

Israel has a long history of killing enemies abroad

Although no one has claimed responsibility for the attack yet, Israel is suspected. Israel has not reacted to Haniya's death, but Israel's Heritage Affairs Minister Amichay Eliyahu has expressed happiness over the killing. The killing of the Hamas chief is likely to increase tensions in West Asia, as well as give a setback to ceasefire efforts in Gaza. Israel has a long history of killing enemies abroad.

Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei, said this

Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said in a statement that the killing of Haniya by the Israeli occupation is a serious attack aimed at breaking the will of Hamas. Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has said that the attack took place in Iran, so Iran has the responsibility to respond.

Benjamin Netanyahu said if there is an attack, we will give a befitting reply

After the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and a senior Hezbollah leader in Beirut, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that Israel will strongly respond to any attack. Netanyahu said that Israel has dealt a severe blow to Iran's proxies, including Hamas and Hezbollah, in the last few days. However, Netanyahu did not mention the killing of Haniyeh in his statement.

Addressing the nation, Netanyahu said, "Citizens of Israel, challenging days are ahead. After the attack in Beirut, threats are being heard from every side. We are prepared for any situation and we will remain united and determined against any threat."