Funeral processions in Iran began early on Thursday for Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed in an air strike in Tehran blamed on Israel.
Mourning crowds carrying posters of Haniyeh and Palestinian flags gathered at Tehran University in the city centre, where Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei lead funeral prayers for the assassinated Hamas chief.
Iran parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and Hamas official Khalil Al-Hayya addressed the crowds in the Iranian capital
Haniyeh’s body will then be transferred to Qatar’s capital Doha on Thursday afternoon, ahead of his burial on Friday, while Iran will carry out three days of mourning.
Lebanese media is also reporting that Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah is set to speak at 5pm to commemorate slain commander Fuad Shukr. His funeral is also set to take place on Thursday.
Shukr’s slain body was found under rubble on Wednesday almost 24 hours after a strike targeting the south Beirut neighbourhood of Haret Hreik late on Tuesday. The strike killed five others, including two children, siblings Amira and Hassan Fadlallah.
The strikes have triggered fears of a major escalation in the region and a massive setback for ceasefire and hostage release negotiations, as Israel’s deadly war in Gaza remains ongoing.
At least nine Palestinians have been killed in al-Maghazi and Nuseirat camp on Thursday, increasing the Gaza death toll as the war ow enters its 300th day.
