The White Home couldn’t verify stories from Tehran that Hamas’ high political chief was killed Wednesday by an airstrike.
Nationwide Safety Council (NSC) spokesman John Kirby informed reporters he may neither verify nor deny a press release by Hamas that accused Israel of assassinating Ismail Haniyeh. Nobody has claimed accountability for the assassination, however Israel is suspected to be behind it after vowing to eradicate Hamas’ senior leaders following the Oct. 7 assaults in southern Israel, when terrorists slaughtered 1,200 folks and took some 250 hostages.
“I’ve seen the statement that Hamas put out. I can’t confirm or verify. We have no independent confirmation,” Kirby stated in the course of the White Home press briefing Wednesday afternoon.
Neither may Kirby say, when requested, what potential influence the killing may have because the U.S. continues to barter a possible ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Greater than 39,000 Palestinians have been killed and greater than 90,000 wounded within the conflict in Gaza, based on the Hamas-run Gaza Well being Ministry, though the depend doesn’t differentiate between civilians and terrorists.
MILITARY OFFICIAL SAYS NO US INVOLVEMENT IN STRIKE OF SENIOR HAMAS LEADER IN TEHRAN
US Nationwide Safety Council (NSC) spokesman John Kirby speaks in the course of the day by day press briefing within the Brady Press Briefing Room of the White Home in Washington, DC, on July 31, 2024. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP by way of Getty Photos)
“I think it’s too soon to know what any of these reported events could mean for the ceasefire deal,” Kirby stated. He rapidly added that the Biden-Harris administration continues to hunt an settlement that may convey an finish to the conflict in Gaza and supply humanitarian reduction to the Palestinians who reside there.
“In fact, we have a team in the region right now as we speak, to try to continue to work with our counterparts to move this forward because it’s that important,” Kirby stated.
“It’s always been complicated work. And it’s not like the complications with every passing day get easier, and that includes today.”
A U.S. navy official earlier informed Fox Information the American navy had “no involvement” within the assassination of Haniyeh, who led Hamas’ political bureau and had lauded the Oct. 7 assaults as a humiliating blow to Israel.
HAMAS LEADER ISMAIL HANIYEH REPORTEDLY ASSASSINATED
Iranians wave Palestinian flags and maintain portraits of slain Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh throughout a protest denouncing his killing, at Palestine sq. within the capital Tehran on July 31, 2024. (AFP by way of Getty Photos)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Israel “will exact a very heavy price from any aggression against us on any front” however didn’t point out the killing. “There are challenging days ahead,” he added.
The alleged assassination has poured gasoline on the battle in Gaza and threatens to gasoline a wider regional battle within the Center East — exactly the end result the Biden-Harris administration hopes to keep away from.
In a press release on his official web site, Iranian supreme chief Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated revenge was “our duty” and that Israel had “prepared a harsh punishment for itself” by killing “a dear guest in our home.”
It stays to be seen if Hamas will withdraw from ceasefire negotiations pushed for by Biden.
IRANIAN LEADER KHAMENEI SAYS IT’S A ‘DUTY TO TAKE REVENGE’ AFTER HANIYEH ASSASSINATION
Activists and supporters of Imamiya Scholar Group (ISO) burn US and Israel nationwide flags as they participate in a protest in Lahore on July 31, 2024, towards the assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in an air strike. (ARIF ALI/AFP by way of Getty Photos)
Notably, the president has but to difficulty remarks personally on the escalating battle within the Center East.
White Home press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre informed Fox Information’ Jacqui Heinrich to “stay tuned” to listen to from the president later this week.
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“And look, I think when it comes to the Middle East, when it comes to foreign policy more broadly, this is a president that has a record to stand on. When it relates to making sure we’re putting the national security of the American people first, this is something that he’s done, making sure that we, you know, that we reengage with our allies and also partners,” Jean-Pierre stated Wednesday.
Fox Information’ Liz Friden and Lucas Tomlinson, Fox Information Digital’s Landon Mion and The Related Press contributed to this report.
