OIC holds Israel responsible for assassination of Haniyeh, calls for justice, de-escalation
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) unequivocally blamed Israel for the assassination of Sheikh Ismail Haniyeh, a political leader killed in Tehran last week.
The meeting, held on Wednesday, sought to address the escalating tensions and issues of regional sovereignty in the Middle East.
Mamadou Tangara, Gambia’s Foreign Minister and the current chair of the OIC, underscored the gravity of the situation, emphasizing the strain it places on international diplomacy.
“The aggression and violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic of Iran by the assassination of a political leader on its soil is an act that cannot be viewed in isolation,” Tangara declared.
Representing the collective voice of the Muslim world, the OIC condemned the assassination as a heinous act that threatens to exacerbate existing tensions and potentially ignite a broader conflict across the region.
“This heinous act serves only to escalate the existing tensions, potentially leading to a wider conflict that could engulf the entire region,” Tangara warned.
Hamas and Iran have both accused Israel of orchestrating Haniyeh’s assassination, though the Israeli government has neither confirmed nor denied its involvement.
The Foreign Minister of The Gambia asserted that the assassination would not silence the Palestinian cause but rather underscore the urgent need for justice and human rights for the Palestinian people. Such actions, he argued, would only strengthen the resolve of those committed to peace and justice.
Saudi Arabia, the host nation, echoed these sentiments, denouncing Haniyeh’s assassination as a “blatant violation” of Iran’s sovereignty. In response, Iran has vowed to take retaliatory measures, warning of severe repercussions for Israel.
Contrastingly, the United States and several Western nations are calling for restraint and de-escalation. US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller noted on Wednesday that many OIC members agree with Washington’s stance that further escalation would only deepen the crises already plaguing the region
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