Tel Aviv [Israel], August 1: Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has ordered a direct attack on Israel following the assassination of a Hamas leader, sources say, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the country is 'ready'.
The New York Times reported on August 1 that Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ordered "direct attacks on Israel" after the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.
Citing information provided by three Iranian officials, the article said the directive was given at an emergency meeting of Iran's National Security Council on July 31, but did not specify the method and timing of the attack.
Earlier, Mr Khamenei said that Iran had a duty to avenge the death of the Hamas leader because he was killed in Iran.
"You killed our dear guest in your home and now you have paved the way for harsh punishment for yourself," he said, referring to Israel.
Speaking on national television on July 31, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the country had dealt fatal blows to its enemies in the past few days.
"Three weeks ago, we hit Hamas military commander Mohammad Deif. Two weeks ago, we hit the Houthis, in one of the furthest strikes the air force has ever carried out. Yesterday, we hit Hezbollah military commander Fu'ad Shukr," CNN quoted him as saying.
The leader said Israel was facing challenging days, with threats from Beirut (Lebanon). "We are ready for any situation. We are prepared," he said.
"We will pay whoever harms us, whoever massacres our children, whoever kills our citizens, whoever hurts our country, the blood will be on that person's head," Netanyahu said.
He noted his determination to continue the operation until all objectives in the Gaza Strip are achieved. However, he did not mention the death of the Hamas leader in Iran. Israel has so far neither admitted nor denied the accusations in the incident.
At the United Nations Security Council, Iranian Ambassador Saeed Iravani said that Mr. Haniyeh's assassination would not have happened without US authorization and intelligence support.
"The responsibility of the United States as a strategic ally and a major supporter of the Israeli regime in the region cannot be overlooked in this terrible crime," he criticized.
Earlier, US Deputy Ambassador Robert Wood said Washington "had no knowledge or involvement in the reported death of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh", adding that the US "has not independently confirmed Hamas' claims of his death".
In addition, Mr. Wood called on the Security Council to support Israel in what he called its "right to defend itself against attack" against groups like Hezbollah. He also called on the council to hold Iran accountable for supporting such groups, as well as accusing it of violating international law.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
