Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh’s assassination aimed to prolong Gaza war: Mahmoud Abbas

TEHRAN, August 06 (SABAH): Israel has assassinated Hamas political Chief Ismail Haniyeh to prolong its war on Gaza, according to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

“There is no doubt that the purpose of Ismail Haniyeh’s assassination is to prolong the war and expand its scope,” Mahmoud Abbas told Russia’s “RIA” state news agency in an interview.

“It will have a negative impact on the ongoing negotiations to end the aggression and withdraw Israeli troops from Gaza,” he added.

Mahmoud Abbas also called on Israel to stop its “aggressive actions” against the Palestinian people and comply with international law and implement the Arab Peace Initiative, which offers Israel the opportunity to normalize relations with its Middle East neighbors in exchange for the liberation of the occupied Palestinian territories.

Ismail Haniyeh, the political bureau chief of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas, was assassinated in Tehran on July 31, a day after attending the inaugural ceremony of President Masoud Pezeshkian.