In a statement posted on X, Erdogan described the killing as a "treacherous assassination" and a "despicable attempt to undermine the Palestinian Cause, the glorious resistance of Gaza, and the rightful struggle of our Palestinian brothers, aiming to demoralize, intimidate, and suppress them."

Erdogan likened this assassination to previous attacks on prominent Palestinian figures such as Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and Abdul Aziz al-Rantisi, asserting that "Zionist barbarism will once again fail to achieve its goals."

He urged the Islamic world to unite against the oppression in Gaza and reaffirmed Türkiye’s support for the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

Erdogan concluded his message with a prayer for Haniyeh, extending condolences to his family and the Palestinian people.

Hamas announced early Wednesday that Haniyeh was killed in an Israeli airstrike on his residence in Tehran. Iranian state television confirmed Haniyeh’s death and stated that an investigation into the assassination is ongoing, with results to be announced soon.

As of now, Israel has made no official statement regarding the assassination. (ILKHA)