Direct Message

“Hamas’ political chief, Ismail Haniyeh, was killed early Wednesday in the Iranian capital, according to Iran and the Palestinian militant group, both of which blamed Israel for an attack that has raised fears of spiraling conflict in the region.” The killing comes just days after senior Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukur was killed in an Israeli strike in Beirut. (“The Hezbollah commander who the Israeli military says it killed in an airstrike Tuesday had been blamed by Israel for a deadly weekend rocket attack and was accused by the U.S. of orchestrating the 1983 bombing in Beirut that killed 241 American servicemen.”) AP: How two strikes on militant leaders in the Middle East could escalate into a regional war.

+ Like most things in the Middle East, the impact of these killings is hard to predict. “That Israel can kill even when the target is a prominent official, there on a brief visit—not long enough for Israel to surveil him and track his routines—suggests that the Israelis’ ability to operate in Tehran is very extensive indeed. The life-insurance premiums for senior Iranian and Hezbollah officials just spiked.” The Atlantic (Gift Article): Ismail Haniyeh’s Assassination Sends a Message. Here’s the latest from CNN.