Afghanistan’s prime minister condemns killing of Hamas leader in Iran

The Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan Mullah Muhammad Hasan Akhund has extended his condolences to Hamas and the people of Palestine on the assassination last week of the group’s political leader . 

In a statement issued Sunday, Akhund said: “The assassination of Hamas’s political leader is a desperate and transparent attempt to divert attention from its (Israel) military shortcomings and failures.”

He said the targeted assassination of Haniyeh in Tehran by the Zionist regime is not only a heart-breaking loss but also a blatant violation of international laws and norms. 

“This egregious act by the Zionist regime occurred while he was a guest of the government, highlighting the enemies’ utter contempt for diplomatic sanctity and the principles of international conduct,” he said.

Akhund also stated that the persistent silence of Western institutions and human rights organizations over the past ten months starkly reveals the true nature and biases of these entities. 

“I unequivocally condemn this cowardly and unjustifiable attack on Martyr Ismail Haniyeh. May Allah grant him and all the martyrs of Gaza the highest ranks alongside the martyrs of Badr and Uhud.”

He went on to state that despite its relentless campaign of genocide against the Palestinian people, Israel’s strategic objectives remain unmet and that the Palestinian resistance will undoubtedly continue their righteous struggle for rights and freedom.

He said: “In light of these events, I urgently call upon the international community, particularly the influential nations of the region and the world, to take immediate and decisive action to halt the Zionist regime’s atrocities in Gaza. 

“It is imperative to prevent the further escalation of this conflict, which threatens to engulf the entire region in flames. The responsibility for any expansion of this war rests solely with the Zionist regime and its supporters.”

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said on Saturday in a statement that Haniyeh was slain in Tehran by a short-range projectile with a warhead of about 7 kg.

Wednesday’s assassination has aroused fears of direct conflict between Tehran and its arch-enemy Israel in a region shaken by Israel’s war in Gaza and a worsening conflict in Lebanon.

Revenge for the killing of the Hamas leader will be “severe and at an appropriate time, place, and manner”, the Guards’ statement added, blaming the “terrorist Zionist regime” of Israel for his death.

Iran and Hamas have accused Israel of carrying out the strike that killed Haniyeh hours after he attended the inauguration of Iran’s new president.

Israeli officials have not claimed responsibility.

The statement by the elite Guards force also accused the “criminal U.S. government” of supporting the attack which Iranian media said took place in a northern suburb of Tehran.

Haniyeh was buried on Friday in Qatar, where he was based.