UN Security Council convenes urgent session on Haniyeh assassination

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has called an emergency session to address the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, the political leader of Hamas, in Tehran. The incident has sparked international outrage and raised fears of escalating conflict in the Middle East.

Haniyeh's assassination has been attributed to an Israeli airstrike, although Israel has not officially claimed responsibility. This event follows closely on the heels of another Israeli airstrike in Beirut, which killed Fuad Shukr, a top Hezbollah commander. These actions are seen as retaliatory measures against recent rocket attacks that resulted in civilian casualties in the Golan Heights.

International Condemnation

The UNSC meeting saw a chorus of condemnation from various member states. Iran and Hamas have accused Israel of carrying out the assassination and have vowed retribution. Iran's UN Ambassador, Amir Saeid Iravani, stated, "The Republic of Iran reserves its right to self-defense under international law to decisively respond to this terrorist act when it deems necessary and appropriate".

Diverse Perspectives

While countries like China, Russia, and Algeria condemned the assassination, calling it an act of terror and a violation of international law, Western nations such as the United States, United Kingdom, and France focused on Iran's role in regional instability. The US Deputy Ambassador to the UN, Robert Wood, emphasized that "Israel has a right to defend itself against attacks from Hezbollah and other terrorists".

Calls for Restraint and Diplomacy

Amidst the heated exchanges, several UNSC members called for restraint and diplomatic solutions. China's Ambassador Fu Cong described the assassination as "a blatant attempt to sabotage peace efforts" and urged all parties to avoid further escalation . Similarly, Russia's Dmitry Polyansky warned that the assassination could derail mediation efforts between Hamas and Israel aimed at achieving a ceasefire in Gaza.

Palestinian Perspective

Palestinian representatives at the UNSC highlighted the long-standing suffering of their people under Israeli occupation. F Abdelh Nasser, the deputy observer of Palestine to the UN, stated, "Israel has been the oppressor, tormentor, and murderer of Palestinians for decades and it must be stopped". Nasser called for accountability and urged the international community to choose peace over chaos.

Iran's Stance

Iran has maintained that it has exercised considerable restraint but retains the right to respond forcefully. Ambassador Iravani criticized the US and Israel for their roles in Haniyeh's death, stating, "This act could not have occurred without the authorization and intelligence support of the US". He called for the UNSC to impose sanctions on Israel.

US and UK Responses

The US and UK representatives focused on Iran's destabilizing actions in the region. UK envoy Barbara Woodward stressed that "Long-term peace will not be secured by bombs and bullets" and called for immediate restraint . Both nations reaffirmed their support for Israel's right to self-defense.

Regional Implications

The assassination has heightened tensions across the Middle East. Lebanon and Syria have also weighed in, with Lebanon's envoy accusing Israel of hypocrisy and Syria dismissing claims that the rocket attack on Majdal Shams was aimed at its population. Syrian ambassador Koussay al-Dahhak emphasized that the Golan Heights is Syrian territory and accused Israel of exploiting the attack to justify further aggression.

Global Ramifications

The UNSC meeting underscored the potential for global ramifications if the conflict escalates. Algerian envoy Amar Bendjama warned, "We are on the precipice of catastrophe," and called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza . The international community remains deeply concerned about the possibility of a broader war.

The emergency UNSC meeting on Haniyeh's assassination has highlighted the deep divisions and complex dynamics in the Middle East. While some nations call for accountability and restraint, others emphasize the right to self-defense and the need to address underlying issues of regional instability. The path forward remains uncertain, but the international community's response will be crucial in shaping future developments.