Abbas extends condolences to Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas yesterday called Khaled Meshaal, the head of the Hamas movement abroad, to express his condolences following the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the movement’s political bureau.

During the call, Abbas conveyed his heartfelt sympathies, praying for God’s mercy on Haniyeh.

Abbas described Haniyeh as “the great leader” and said he considered his targeting as “a cowardly act and a dangerous development.”

Meshaal thanked Abbas for his condolences.

Earlier, Hamas announced the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, Iran. According to reports, Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards were killed when their residence in Tehran was attacked.

The Iranian Tasnim News Agency reported that an investigation into the assassination is underway, with results expected soon, while the Iranian Revolutionary Guards have said that they are examining the circumstances surrounding Haniyeh’s death.

Haniyeh arrived in Tehran on Tuesday to attend the inauguration of Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, and met with Pezeshkian and Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

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