8 August 2024: The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has directly blamed Israel for the recent assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh, who was killed last week in Iran, reported Al Jazeera. The OIC, a 57-member bloc representing Muslim-majority countries, convened an extraordinary meeting in Saudi Arabia to address the incident, which they described as a ‘serious infringement’ of Iran’s sovereignty.
In a strongly worded statement, the OIC declared Israel, the ‘illegal occupying power,’ fully responsible for what they termed a ‘heinous attack.’ The statement also warned of the potential for regional conflict, a sentiment echoed by The Gambia’s Foreign Minister Mamadou Tangara, who currently chairs the OIC. Tangara emphasized that such aggression could escalate existing tensions, potentially leading to a broader conflict in the region.
The assassination has sparked outrage in Iran, which has vowed to retaliate against Israel. Iranian officials have condemned the killing as a violation of their sovereignty and have promised ‘harsh punishment’ for those responsible. Despite these tensions, the Israeli government has neither confirmed nor denied involvement in the attack.
The United States, meanwhile, has called for de-escalation. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller acknowledged the concerns of several OIC members, stressing the importance of avoiding actions that could further inflame the situation. Miller expressed hope that all parties involved would work towards de-escalation, particularly in light of ongoing ceasefire negotiations in Gaza.
Haniyeh, who had been leading ceasefire talks for Hamas, has been succeeded by Gaza’s Hamas chief, Yahya Sinwar. The U.S. has not formally condemned Haniyeh’s assassination.
In his remarks at the OIC meeting, Tangara called for durable peace that addresses the root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He urged the global community to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches those in need and to work towards a sustainable political solution that promotes peace and security for all people in the region.
