The retaliation to the killing of Haniyeh will be far greater than 300 missiles

The recent assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and its adversaries. While the killing of Mohammad Reza Zahedi in Damascus earlier this year prompted a retaliatory strike of 300 missiles from Iran, that were dealt with by a coalition of the US, Israel, UK, France and Jordan, the implications of Haniyeh’s assassination are far more severe and potentially explosive.

The gravity of this situation stems from the profound importance of hospitality in Islamic culture. In the Muslim world, protecting a guest is not merely a courtesy but a sacred duty. By targeting Haniyeh, a high-ranking Hamas leader, while he was under the protection of the Iranian government, in Muslim eyes, Israel has done the unspeakable.

This act goes beyond a mere tactical strike; it’s a direct challenge to Iran’s honor and its ability to safeguard its allies. The Iranian regime now faces immense pressure to respond forcefully, not just to avenge Haniyeh but to restore its credibility as a protector of the “Axis of Resistance” against Israel.

The timing and location of this assassination suggest either a deliberate attempt to provoke a major conflict or utter stupidity and blindness of Israeli decision makers. 

It’s hard to believe that the United States would have sanctioned such a provocative action, especially given the proximity to its upcoming elections. An all-out war in the Middle East would have severe repercussions for global stability and the U.S. economy, most probably influencing the electoral outcome.

This assassination also assassinated the slim chance we had to cut a deal to release the Israeli hostages. This strengthens the thought that the U.S. approved such an act that will endanger its citizens being held by Hamas in Gaza. 

It is gut wrenching to think that our hostages are in even greater danger now and might be killed by Hamas in retaliation to the latest assassination. 

The international community must now brace for the fallout. Iran’s response is likely to be severe and could extend beyond its usual proxies. We may see direct action from Iran itself, potentially drawing in other regional powers and escalating the conflict to unprecedented levels.

As we stand on the brink of a potential regional conflagration, it is crucial for cooler heads to prevail. Diplomatic channels must be urgently activated to prevent further escalation. The international community, particularly those nations with influence in the region, must step in to mediate and de-escalate tensions.

This assassination may have been intended as a strategic move, but its consequences could prove catastrophic. Unfortunately, Israel and Iran are led by pyromaniacs while the people of both nations, the region and the world are hostages of this insanity.