The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has condemned the assassination of the head of Hamas’ political bureau and former Palestinian prime minister Ismail Haniyeh.

In a press statement on its website, the OIC expressed its sincere condolences to the Palestinian leadership and its people and held the Israeli occupation authorities responsible.

It said the dangerous escalation was an extension of the daily murders committed against the Palestinian people in flagrant violation of international norms, charters, and laws.

“The organisation also affirmed its firm position towards supporting the Palestinian people in their legitimate struggle to obtain their inalienable national rights, freedom, and independence, including the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the borders of the fourth of June, 1967, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital,” read the statement.

Hamas announced earlier today that Ismail was killed in an Israeli airstrike targeting his residence in the Iranian capital of Tehran.

“Hamas mourns our great Palestinian people, the Arab and Islamic nation, and all the free people of the world: brother, leader, martyr, Mujahid Ismail Haniyeh.

“The head of the movement was killed in a treacherous Zionist raid on his residence in Tehran, after participating in the inauguration ceremony of the new Iranian president,” it said in a statement on Telegram.

Iranian state television also reported Haniyeh’s death, noting that an investigation into the assassination is ongoing and that the results will be announced soon.

Israel has made no announcement on the incident.

- Bernama