Islamic Conference Organization Holds Israel 'Fully Responsible' for the Death of Ismail Haniyeh and Condemns the Act

On August 8, member countries of the Islamic Conference Organization in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, deemed Israel 'fully responsible' for the death of Ismail Haniyeh, a leader of the Palestinian group Hamas in Tehran, and condemned this act. In a statement released on Wednesday, these countries labeled Israel as an 'illegal occupier' and described the killing of Ismail Haniyeh as a 'heinous' act, characterizing it as a 'serious violation' of Iran's sovereignty. Mamadou Tangara, the Gambian Foreign Minister, whose country holds the presidency of the Islamic Cooperation Conference, stated: 'The aggression and violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran by killing a political leader on its soil is a heinous act that could escalate existing tensions in the region and lead to broader conflict throughout the region.' Saudi Arabia, hosting the Islamic Cooperation Organization meeting, also stated that the killing of Haniyeh was a 'clear violation' of Iran's sovereignty. The emergency meeting of the Islamic Conference Organization was held at the request of the Islamic Republic and Palestinian officials following the death of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas's political branch, in the coastal city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Hamas and Iranian leaders hold Israel responsible for Haniyeh's death in Tehran last week, but the Israeli government has neither confirmed nor denied involvement in this act. The Islamic Republic has threatened Israel with 'harsh punishment' and vowed to retaliate, while the United States and Western and Arab countries are calling for de-escalation. Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, stated on Wednesday that several members of the Islamic Conference Organization agree with Washington that escalating tensions between Israel and the Islamic Republic would only prolong and intensify the crisis in the region and could jeopardize the prospects for a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. Antony Blinken, the U.S. Secretary of State, stated on August 7 that the ceasefire agreement in Gaza has reached a decisive stage, and only the existing tensions between Israel and the Islamic Republic threaten this agreement. The U.S., the U.K., the European Union, Japan, Israel, and several other countries have designated Hamas as a terrorist organization, which is supported by the Islamic Republic. Following the October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the hostage-taking of over 200, mostly civilians, Israel launched an offensive against Gaza aimed at destroying this Palestinian group. The Israeli Foreign Minister called for the death of Hamas's new leader and the eradication of this organization. The Chief of Staff of the Israeli Army stated: 'We will find Sinwar; his new title does not change the fact that he is a 'killer.' Israel is on high alert following threats from the Islamic Republic and Hezbollah; Netanyahu stated: 'We will strike our enemies and defend ourselves.' The New York Times reported the detention of dozens of 'prominent and high-ranking' members of the Islamic Republic by the Revolutionary Guard. Macron, in a call with Pezeshkian, stated that the 'cycle of violence' must end. The U.S. Defense Secretary warned proxy forces: 'The United States will not tolerate attacks on its forces in the Middle East.' The Middle East is at risk of escalating crisis; U.S. F-18 and F-22 jets are heading to the Middle East.