TEHRAN, (Palestine Foundation Information Center) On the first anniversary of the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haneyya, cities around the world and the Iranian government have condemned the ongoing genocide in Gaza and called for immediate international action to stop Israel’s crimes.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Saturday recalling the Israeli assassination of Haneyya in Tehran on July 31, 2024, calling it a “major crime” and a “flagrant violation” of international law and Iranian sovereignty. The assassination occurred while Haneyya was attending the inauguration ceremony of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian as an official guest.
The statement framed the assassination as part of a broader strategy by Israel to eliminate Palestinian leadership and “exterminate the Palestinian people through colonial violence.”
Iran emphasized that the Palestinian struggle for self-determination is legitimate under international law and called for international efforts to end Israel’s impunity.
“The criminal and terrorist nature of this entity has become clearer than ever,” the ministry said, adding that continued political and military support from the US and other Western powers makes them complicit in the genocide and war crimes taking place in Gaza.
Public outcry echoed across dozens of world capitals, including Baghdad, Istanbul, Kuala Lumpur, Tripoli, Amman, Tunis, and even cities in South Africa and Nigeria.
Demonstrations filled public squares and landmarks, many taking place in front of US embassies. Protesters raised Palestinian flags and photos of Haneyya while chanting against the prolonged famine and mass killings in Gaza.
The demonstrations were described by organizers as a unified message from the global public, denouncing two years of continuous Israeli attacks and starvation policies in Gaza.
Participants hailed Haneyya as a symbol of steadfast resistance, commemorating his final words, “We will not recognize Israel”, as a lasting testament to the liberation struggle.
