Indonesian President Joko Widodo condemned the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, labeling it an “act of violence and murder.” The incident, attributed to an Israeli airstrike, raises tensions amid ongoing military actions in Gaza. Concurrently, Japan has urged de-escalation in the Middle East, as the humanitarian crisis continues to deepen with significant Palestinian casualties reported.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo, commonly referred to as Jokowi, issued a vigorous condemnation on Thursday of the recent assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, deeming it an “act of violence and murder.” According to Anadolu Agency, President Jokowi emphasized that such violent acts are intolerable, particularly when they occur on the sovereign territory of Iran, as reported by the Jakarta Globe. Hamas and Iranian officials confirmed the assassination of Haniyeh, which resulted from an Israeli airstrike that targeted his residence in Tehran. The strike occurred just a day after Haniyeh participated in the inauguration ceremony of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. While Israel has not officially claimed responsibility for Haniyeh’s death, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has alluded to potential Israeli involvement in the assassination. President Jokowi stated that actions of this nature are “unacceptable” within the sovereign boundaries of Iran. “I believe everyone, including Indonesia, condemns such violence and murder,” he remarked. In response to this escalating situation, Japan has urged the need to prevent further tensions in the Middle East. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi called for an avoidance of retaliatory actions and emphasized the importance of de-escalation during a press briefing. He noted that Tokyo is still in the process of verifying the facts surrounding Haniyeh’s assassination, while affirming their commitment to using diplomatic channels to stabilize the situation. Israel has attracted widespread international condemnation for its ongoing military operations in Gaza, which have persisted since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Reports indicate that the conflict has led to the deaths of approximately 39,445 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, with over 91,000 injured. Nearly ten months into the conflict, much of Gaza remains devastated amidst a restrictive blockade impacting essential supplies such as food, clean water, and medicine. Additionally, Israel is facing allegations of genocide at the International Court of Justice, which has recently ordered an immediate cessation of military activities in Rafah, a region hosting over one million Palestinian refugees before the conflict escalated on May 6.
The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh has intensified existing tensions in the Middle East, particularly between Israel and Palestine, and has led to increased international scrutiny of Israel’s military actions. The context of this incident involves not only the regional dynamics involving Iran and Hamas but also the broader humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza, where significant casualties and damage have occurred as a result of ongoing hostilities. Indonesia’s response, led by President Jokowi, reflects the country’s position on violence and sovereignty in international relations.
In conclusion, the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh has drawn strong reactions from international leaders, particularly from President Joko Widodo of Indonesia, who condemned the act as a violation of sovereignty and an intolerable violent action. Meanwhile, Japan has called for efforts to prevent further escalations in the region. The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to be a focal point of international concern amid the conflict, with calls for a ceasefire and accountability rising in the international community.
Original Source: www.middleeastmonitor.com
