i'm sally bundock. some breaking news to bring you, hamas have announced that one its most senior leader's, ismail haniyeh, has been killed. iran's revolutionary guards announced in a statement that ismail haniyeh, a top hamas leader, was killed in tehran on tuesday when he was attending the inauguration ceremony of iran's new president. hamas confirmed the death in a statement saying, quote, "the islamic resistance movement, hamas, mourns "to our great palestinian people, to the arab and islamic "nation, and to all the free people of the world:*brother, leader, martyr, mujahid ismail haniyeh. with me is said shehata — a reporter with bbc arabic. what more do you know what about happened? ismail haniyeh

is head of the political bureau of hamas, senior leader, he wasn't around to attend the inauguration of the new iranian president. what hamas said in a statement he was killed by an israeli raid on his residence, thatis israeli raid on his residence, that is what they said the israeli has not responded yet. ismail haniyeh visited iran several times, to be killed in a round in this way is a strong message in leader of hamas can be reached, if you can remember some israeli officials said any leaders of hamas and commander of hamas can be a target for the operation, so far as rabies did not say anything, they did not announce anything about that. hamas will now retaliate, there will be some problems in gaza and summary action from the houthi and yemen and

islamic resistance in iraq, and hezbollah, even what happened yesterday with hezbollah and disraeli announced the killing of one of the big senior commanders of hezbollah. it will be a complicated situation and you can expect in the next few hours, some military strikes from different places towards israel.— towards israel. you believe there will _ towards israel. you believe there will be _ towards israel. you believe there will be a _ towards israel. you believe there will be a reaction - towards israel. you believe there will be a reaction to i there will be a reaction to this because of course as you mentioned, israel has said it has killed a top hezbollah commander in response to what happened over the weekend on the golan heights, fuad shukr. this new announcement of the hamas leader also the death of him, on tuesday, just talk us through his role within hamas, he was the international diplomat?— he was the international diplomat? he was the international dilomat? , . . , diplomat? ismail haniyeh was the head of— diplomat? ismail haniyeh was the head of the _ diplomat? ismail haniyeh was the head of the palestinian i the head of the palestinian government after hamas won the

elections in 2006. then he was sacked by mahmood bahs because after the division between hamas and for tar, he was doing a leading role in hamas for a long time in the political bureau and head of the political bureau of many leaders of hamas, that is the senior one in hamas. to talk about negotiation and everything at a political level he was in charge of. all negotiation going through the political bureau.— negotiation going through the political bureau. when it comes to the negotiations _ political bureau. when it comes to the negotiations between - to the negotiations between israel and one been ongoing for weeks and weeks, we have seen qatari is involved and others he would likely to have been involved with that?— involved with that? ismail hani eh involved with that? ismail haniyeh moved _ involved with that? ismail haniyeh moved from - involved with that? ismailj haniyeh moved from gaza involved with that? ismail. haniyeh moved from gaza to lebanon on, and then from lebanon on, and then from lebanon on, and then from lebanon on, to qatar, carter was his main residence. he is

the head of all these negotiations, like any negotiation, in co—ordination or talks about concessions, conditions, he is the main leader of that. to be killed in this way, i think it will more or less put the negotiations in a dilemma. it or less put the negotiations in a dilemma-— a dilemma. it also happened into a run- — a dilemma. it also happened into a run. talk— a dilemma. it also happened into a run. talk us _ a dilemma. it also happened into a run. talk us through i a dilemma. it also happened i into a run. talk us through the implications of that there has been a fear this war in gaza will spill over that iran will get involved, what are your thoughts and reactions on that? if you can remember there was an incident between iran and israel in april when iran sent missiles and drones and israel responded with limited operation as a revenge. before that in january when israel assassinated one of the top leaders of hamas and a stronghold of hezbollah. hezbollah reacted by rockets, towards israel. there are

incidents before the chapter was closed, injanuary incidents before the chapter was closed, in january and incidents before the chapter was closed, injanuary and the chapter was closed between hamas and hezbollah and israel, the clapton was closed between israel and iran after the incident in april. this time there are two incidents in the south of babylon stronghold of hezbollah and one in tay run, iran warned israel before in a phone call between the new iranian president and the french president in reaction from israel after the golan heights attacks, which killed over 12 children, in their. so in reaction from israel will have repercussions. so iran, the feel is iran to intervene in the white house tries to say no, it can be avoided but to be in iran would be tough if it is confirmed israel done that. for

ismail haniyeh himself, three of his sons were killed, weren't they earlier this year? in gaza, because the israeli officials as i said before they said the leaders of hamas are targets, including ismail haniyeh yaya sanogo i and other leaders, there was a leader in lebanon on, part of the plan of the israelis announcement to destroy that. they did not announce yet they are behind the killing of ismail haniyeh in tay run. killing the children of ismail haniyeh in gaza was devastating for him but there are many palestinians not only the sons of ismail haniyeh, more than 39,000 killed so far in gaza, there is calling for pressure for a negotiation. with these two incidents in lebanon on an tay run the negotiation will be in tatters. , , . ~

tatters. news breaking in the last half-an-hour_ tatters. news breaking in the last half-an-hour really - tatters. news breaking in the last half-an-hour really we . last half—an—hour really we have been hearing at bbc news, hamas announced one of its most senior leaders, ismail haniyeh has been killed. the iranian revolutionary guards announcing he is the top hamas leader killed in tehran on tuesday, he was there attending the inauguration ceremony of iran is new president. joining me now to discuss mr netanyahu's visit is benjamin radd, political scientist and senior fellow at the ucla burkle center for international relations. what is your reaction? it's remarkable we have seen on 2a hours israel had not only the senior leader of, the senior leaders of two of iran �*s proxy groups of axis of resistance not only with they targeted they were targeted in the respective state capitals. demonstrate israel's level of

precision and ability to project its deterrence capability, demonstrates it can essentially track down and take out anyone, including at this point the uranian supreme leader if it still wanted to. it demonstrates israel is willing to respond in a meaningful and symbolic way to attacks on its territory of the kind we saw happen in the northern part of the country in the druze village which resulted in the tragic death of those 12 children. it is a remarkable, both a retaliation but also an escalation and again the other thing that stands out and i should note news of this assassination spread incredibly quickly, usually there is a delay before we hear the iranians or others announce this, the degree to which this was posted and spread, and the manner in which it was done, but it was done by a drone strike or some kind of very low level airstrike, makes us wonder to what extent iran, sorry israel had assistance on

the inside. no question it had some degree but now even more so, this information was ready to go out quickly and the strike happened using a drone or other lower—level capability. that is standing up from this incident. in capability. that is standing up from this incident.— capability. that is standing up from this incident. in terms of reaction to — from this incident. in terms of reaction to this _ from this incident. in terms of reaction to this what - from this incident. in terms of reaction to this what will - reaction to this what will happen next?— reaction to this what will ha en next? ~ ., ., , happen next? well, iran does not want to — happen next? well, iran does not want to escalate, - happen next? well, iran does not want to escalate, it - happen next? well, iran does not want to escalate, it is - not want to escalate, it is very clear in the past when we have seen this happen with that senior officials and other important diggers with iranians or proxy group leaders taken out, there will be an understanding this is as far as it goes. i think they will accept this was a tit—for—tat and represents the counterstrike to acknowledge and retaliate for the hezbollah attack in northern israel a few days ago. they will make a statement, some kind of a show and we will see some bluster, but israel demonstrated any and leaders of any state or nonstate entity are now reachable. and so i think iran will want to de—escalate or any other senior officials see

themselves as targets. i don't see this getting further than what we have seen.- see this getting further than what we have seen. israel did say there _ what we have seen. israel did say there would _ what we have seen. israel did say there would be _ what we have seen. israel did say there would be a - what we have seen. israel did say there would be a severe l say there would be a severe respond to the tragic killings of young people and children in the golan heights on saturday. as you have mentioned, the senior hezbollah commander was seen as responsible for carrying out that strike on saturday has been killed by israel. do you think that now means as far as israel is concerned, that is it? not necessarily, _ concerned, that is it? not necessarily, we _ concerned, that is it? not necessarily, we know - concerned, that is it? iirrt necessarily, we know yaya sanogo are the military leader of hamas, the architect of the october seven massacre he is 0ctober seven massacre he is still alive, 0ctober seven massacre he is stillalive, he 0ctober seven massacre he is still alive, he is absolutely a target and has been a target since that incident, arguably even before that and also we can assume any other senior revolutionary guard, islamic revolutionary guard, islamic revolutionary guard, islamic revolutionary guard commanders and operatives facilitating

what hamas and hezbollah doing a likely targets, this is israel seeking to weaken the ability of iran to support these proxy groups, axis of resistance members, who had been staging attacks against israel from gaza and hezbollah. israel from gaza and hezbollah. i would say those leadership figures and senior officers and commanders are still very likely targets.— commanders are still very likel taraets. , ., ., , likely targets. ismail haniyeh, who is the _ likely targets. ismail haniyeh, who is the person, _ likely targets. ismail haniyeh, who is the person, the - likely targets. ismail haniyeh, who is the person, the leader| who is the person, the leader of hamas we have just heard was killed on tuesday, he was seen as quite a moderate leader, compared to many of the others within hamas, and the leadership. he was a part of the negotiations, what does that mean i going forward when it comes to ceasefire talks? that remains to be seen issue of moderates in hamas leadership is a relative term and we should take that with a grain of salt, when that description is described to them. hamas has two paths you can see other hall and those who are more aggressive,

looking to escalate the situation further, or we could see it as an opportunity for an offramp or the leadership bureau, the council of leaders if you will to look to de—escalate because they don't want to be targets either, with the exception of mr �*s and wahoo has a target on him. it is possible hamas could see this as a point where they need to make a deal and push for something to happen unless they become further targets down the line. there is a good chance this could lead to deescalation unless we see one of the orcs within the leadership council push for more aggressive counter measures.- push for more aggressive counter measures. how will washington _ counter measures. how will washington respond - counter measures. how will washington respond to - counter measures. how will| washington respond to this? counter measures. how will. washington respond to this? it has been alleged to hezbollah commander was responsible for the bombing of the us marine barracks in lebanon on in the 19805 barracks in lebanon on in the 1980s and barracks in lebanon on in the 19805 and i982, barracks in lebanon on in the 1980s and 1982, he was a figure who the united states had also wanted to be captured or taken out effectively, ismail haniyeh

is a leader of hamas which is an organisation united states recognise and as a terrorist organisation from their perspective the fact that we know now most civilians were killed, apparently only his bodyguard was another personhood, represents the kind of precision guided response united states has pressured israel to try to carry out in operations against hamas, his bowler and others who facilitated the attacks against israel. . ., facilitated the attacks against israel. . ~' , ., , facilitated the attacks against israel. ., ,, , ., , . israel. thank you very much indeed for _ israel. thank you very much indeed forjoining _ israel. thank you very much indeed forjoining us - israel. thank you very much indeed forjoining us to - israel. thank you very much indeed forjoining us to give j indeed forjoining us to give us your take on these developments. . you were listening to that, from your perspective, what to expect to happen next now with all this going on in the last 24—hour is, a lot going on? it can be on two levels, negotiation levels i disagree

with the guest about it might put pressure on hamas to reach a deal because they fear the leaders might be targeted. i don't think so the hamas mentality and ideology as you do not care about death, they think death would be a martyr and go to heaven, in this case this would not put them off as would pressure. ithink this would not put them off as would pressure. i think the position now will be difficult to imagine it will happen soon. this is what mr netanyahu who said more pressure on hamas will lead to more concessions and more deal, i don't think so because hamas and their mentality would be against that. on a military level there will be some rockets, some missiles, some operation coming from the houthi and the islamic resistance in iraq, hezbollah might be from iran also like what happened before in april. hopefully it won't be too much

was ready to respond again because i think for israel now if it is proved israel did announce the killing of the ismail haniyeh, but at least for the senior commander of hezbollah. in this case it will lead to something of like, satisfaction for the israelis, they paid the price they say to hamas they can reach anyone anywhere, it will spread the fear and those, because of the mentality and ideology of iran hamas and these groups is not going to be easy to put pressure on them through force, they will do some military operations. we would expect some military operation. hopefully it will not be that big for israel to respond again. the hope and expectation not to be an all—out war soon. but when it comes to cessation

of hostilities and fighting in gaza, that is unlikely to happen in the nearfuture because negotiations to agree on the terms of a deal are going to be harder to reach, presumably now? absolutely because israel— presumably now? absolutely because israel several - presumably now? absolutely because israel several times | because israel several times after they said they dismantled hamas in the north of gaza in the first few months of the war recently they were back to the north because they say hamas regrouped, some areas and one as they said hamas were regrouping their hamas are still there, all the expert and analyst of getting rid of hamas, it is almost impossible to do that. there is a way to do that deal not the military operation but israel and mr netanyahu and his far right supporters, all of them they are forfinishing thejob supporters, all of them they are for finishing the job and finishing thejob with finishing the job with hezbollah also but this will be

opening a big war and america is not supporting that. in opening a big war and america is not supporting that.- is not supporting that. in the meantime — is not supporting that. in the meantime we _ is not supporting that. in the meantime we must - is not supporting that. in the meantime we must not - is not supporting that. in the l meantime we must not forget is not supporting that. in the - meantime we must not forget the humanitarian crisis within gaza itself because they are desperate for a pause in hostilities, so the aide can get in, people can get the medical help they require, we have seen some gazans get medical help outside of gaza. this week, that has been a development and a positive development. while all this goes on, the situation in gaza is just goes on, the situation in gaza isjust dire? goes on, the situation in gaza isiust dire?— is 'ust dire? civilians paying a isjust dire? civilians paying a heavy price- _ isjust dire? civilians paying a heavy price. we _ isjust dire? civilians paying a heavy price. we talked i isjust dire? civilians paying i a heavy price. we talked with some people from gaza yesterday. women in car newness after and they went to their homes destroyed, they had their children did not have enough food, they have skin diseases and no metred support and no clean water, complication of

the lack of food, lack of medicine, lack of even shelter, one of the oldest churches in the gaza city in the north, was hit by an israeli strike on some people injured there. and one of the officials of the church, and the gaza city said why are they targeting a religious place, it should be a safe area for people and used as a shelter. the misery of civilians is going on and on, the only thing to stop it is a deal but with this development, killing two senior leaders from hezbollah and hamas, i think it will not help to reach a deal and unfortunately the war will carry on, it will continue and the civilians will pay the price and it is disastrous for them. ,, ., ., ., them. starting to get reaction from various _ them. starting to get reaction from various quarters - them. starting to get reaction from various quarters to - them. starting to get reaction from various quarters to this i from various quarters to this news of the assassination of the hamas leader, ismail haniyeh. 0ne the hamas leader, ismail haniyeh. one of the reactions from a hamas official, who has

told the reuters news agency, this assassination in iran is a grave escalation that will not achieve its goals which is the sentiment that you are conveying. actually the death of a leader is something that they do not, doesn't bring fear in terms of what their own goals are, what they are trying to achieve, where they want to go. but of course for israelis and those who are desperate for hostages to come home, they are desperate for a deal in israel as well, many are there as well wanting to see progress. they wanting to see progress. they want their hostages to come home. �* ., want their hostages to come home. �* ~' ., home. after the killing of the hezbollah — home. after the killing of the hezbollah senior _ home. after the killing of the hezbollah senior commander| home. after the killing of the - hezbollah senior commander the israeli minister of defence said, hezbollah went to cross the line because they accuse

hezbollah of striking the attack of the goal and heights. but hezbollah denying they done that. they crossed the red line. i think estimating and it is announced by israel they done that, it is crossing the red line also on the side of hamas. unfortunately, it will escalate the situation. ii escalate the situation. if you're watching us now on bbc news, breaking news this hour, it has been announced by hamas one of its most senior leaders ismail haniyeh, has been killed. this was an announcement that came in a statement from iran revolutionary guard. a top hamas leader killed in tehran on tuesday, after he attended the inauguration ceremonial of iran is new president, we are getting a reaction as we have been hearing this news that is breaking, it has been swirling on social media at great speed

that the reaction from many quarters. a senior hamas official saying this is an escalation, a grave escalation that will not achieve its goals. let's bring in another voice on this, live just sitting i'm joined by 0lly mark morey a research fellow at deakin university. what is your reaction to this latest development?- reaction to this latest development? reaction to this latest develoment? . ~' , ., ., development? thank you for havin: development? thank you for having me — development? thank you for having me this _ development? thank you for having me this is _ development? thank you for having me this is a _ development? thank you for having me this is a very - development? thank you for having me this is a very big i having me this is a very big security breach 41 and tehran, both, it will have a lot of ramifications, it will change the rules of engagement for this war because it is pushing the red stop between the two parties it will delay a deal between hamas and israel, is

likely to have a delay between parties in the near future after the speak escalation. in terms of the israeli internal and domestic politics, it will give some kind of short—term benefit to the netanyahu government but on the long—term, we have negative impact on it because what the israelis eventually want, they want the hostages to go back to get back to the country, this will delay this matter significantly.- will delay this matter significantly. will delay this matter sianificantl . ~ ., ., significantly. what do you think the _ significantly. what do you think the reaction - significantly. what do you think the reaction might i significantly. what do you i think the reaction might be significantly. what do you - think the reaction might be in iran to this? flit think the reaction might be in iran to this?— iran to this? of course, iranians _ iran to this? of course, iranians will _ iran to this? of course, iranians will have - iran to this? of course, iranians will have to - iran to this? of course, i iranians will have to show iran to this? of course, - iranians will have to show some kind of strong reaction to this development, and they will not accept it and they won't remain silent about it. it is unlikely to have another direct attack on israel similar to what happened in the past but, there will be some escalations by

some other allies, probably from houthis or iraqi militias or hezbollah in lebanon on and their capital city is significantly growing during the last decade, hezbollah, houthis are not the houthis they were two years ago in the war with saudi arabia and iraqi militia all of them have developed significantly. what they use against israel is very limited, it is likely they will show some kind of escalation against israel, and this will take the region, the entire region toward the verge of a regional war. region toward the verge of a regionalwar. it region toward the verge of a regional war.— regional war. it comes very ruickl regional war. it comes very quickly this _ regional war. it comes very quickly this news, - regional war. it comes very quickly this news, after - regional war. it comes very quickly this news, after the israeli military announced it has killed one of hezbollah �*s top commanders who they say was

responsible for the rocket attacks that killed 12 young people in the occupied golan heights on saturday. given that event as well, your thoughts on how, how this will develop in the very short term. while all this is happening, there is supposed to be a negotiation for a deal to bring an end to fighting in gaza? the for a deal to bring an end to fighting in gaza?— for a deal to bring an end to fighting in gaza? the attack on the golan heights _ fighting in gaza? the attack on the golan heights was - fighting in gaza? the attack on the golan heights was denied i fighting in gaza? the attack on i the golan heights was denied by his bowler not confirmed by hezbollah. i think his bowler will show some kind of reaction to it and the reaction would through probably be more increasing attack on northern israel. i don't think it will escalate toward an open war unless israel starts it. taste unless israel starts it. we appreciate _ unless israel starts it. we appreciate your _ unless israel starts it. we appreciate your analysis, and academic and journalist

specialising in these matters. we still have said with us in the studio. another issue —— official from the studio. another issue —— officialfrom hamas the studio. another issue —— official from hamas saying the studio. another issue —— officialfrom hamas saying our leaders killing will not go unanswered, this is the typical reaction we would react to this kind of event.— kind of event. absolutely if we can look at _ kind of event. absolutely if we can look at the _ kind of event. absolutely if we can look at the capability - kind of event. absolutely if we can look at the capability of i can look at the capability of hezbollah, they have a strong weapons arsenal, they have 200,000 missiles and rockets. and that's provided by iran? they have more than 100,000 fighters according to the leader of hezbollah when he was offered some people to join leader of hezbollah when he was offered some people tojoin him to defend hezbollah but he said they have 100,000 fighters. hezbollah is not the hezbollah

of 2006, it is more stronger, iran, they are very close according to the american and british, to the nuclear weapon. so they want to make a deterrent strength for them on the international level, to put pressure on israel, not to launch in attack on iran. but to do that, inside iran, that is a very like it would be like someone from inside iran told the israelis that has proved —— prove the israelis do that. it is a breach of security do that. there will be a strong reaction and hopefully it will not lead to reach an all—out war between hezbollah and israel, and iran will be on the line. iran does not like to do that because the economy of iran is not that strong and they have some problems inside iran. but when it comes to

these situations they do not want to show any weakness because at an international level you need to have your reputation. the reputation of iran is a strong company —— strong country with all the economic problems they are close to a nuclear weapon,. they will react, hezbollah will react, hamas will react, there will be some reaction. israel will be some reaction. israel will be some reaction. israel will be on alert, the embassies all over the world,... min all over the world,... will there be _ all over the world,... will there be moral— all over the world,... will there be moral reaction l all over the world,... willl there be moral reaction on all over the world,... will there be moral reaction on the red sea with the houthi rebels? the houthi rebels of the islamic existence in iraq, stop there will be radical organisations like isis, the islamic state. al-qaeda. it might be an opportunity for them to capitalise on this opportunity to target some because there are many targets for the israelis it might not

necessarily be in israel. it might be some kind of targeting some places. might be some kind of targeting some places-— some places. commercial shipping _ some places. commercial shipping or— some places. commercial shipping or whatever - some places. commercial shipping or whatever it i some places. commercial- shipping or whatever it might be in the red sea?— be in the red sea? there are taruets be in the red sea? there are targets all— be in the red sea? there are targets all over _ be in the red sea? there are targets all over the _ be in the red sea? there are targets all over the world, i targets all over the world, this kind of operation could be not like that difficult to be done. senior commander of hezbollah the american said he was behind played a central role in the killing of 241 us personnel on the attack in 1983 in beirut on us marines barracks. they can do many things. as i said, they don't fear death, when you don't fear death you can do anything. in terms of benjamin netanyahu standing in israel at home, the domestic scene, he has been under so much pressure, there

has been processed and lots going on as far as he is concerned and he is clicking on politically, these events that have taken place both a hezbollah leader, the hamas leader the killing and assassination however you want to describe it will strengthen his hand at home presumably? it well when there are problems inside, if you can achieve some kind of what is called victories or gains like that, in this case you can strengthen his position because israeli security under threat, many enemies around israel so they need to unite the internal front so they need to be together because we are facing external enemy. these kind of scenarios will strengthen his position so for him will not be like before, this will be for the next few days, people will unite behind mr netanyahu in order to face the expected reactions from iran from

hezbollah, from hamas from the houthi and the islamic resistance and may be from militant groups is al-qaeda or the islamic state or other group who might capitalise on the situation in the cause of helping muslims or hamas or palestinians, they can use many slogans to justify their actions. but there will be a reaction soon. hopefully not the reaction to lead the region to an all—out war. haste to an all-out war. we will u date to an all-out war. we will update you _ to an all-out war. we will update you all— to an all-out war. we will update you all on - to an all-out war. we will update you all on the i to an all-out war. we will. update you all on the latest developments. we have breaking news on the bbc with the announcement from hamas one of its most senior leaders, is smile hernia, has been killed in tehran on tuesday. he was there to attend the inauguration ceremony of