The internationally recognized Yemeni government on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, strongly condemned the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh, head of Hamas's political bureau, in the Iranian capital, Tehran.

The condemnation was issued in a statement by the Yemeni Foreign Ministry, published by the official Yemeni news agency Saba.

The statement stressed the importance of the international community assuming its responsibilities by taking immediate and serious steps to prevent Israeli occupation violations and crimes against the Palestinian people, and to immediately implement a ceasefire in Gaza.

Earlier on Wednesday, Hamas announced the assassination of Haniyeh following a "treacherous Zionist airstrike" on his residence in Tehran, after his participation on Tuesday in the inauguration ceremony of the new Iranian president.

Iranian state television also reported Haniyeh's death in Tehran, stating that "an investigation is underway into the assassination and the results will be announced soon."

Later, Hamas announced that official and public funeral ceremonies will be held for Haniyeh in Tehran on Thursday, before his body is transported to Doha for a funeral prayer and burial on Friday.

The assassination of Haniyeh in the Iranian capital, Tehran, has been widely condemned by Arab and international countries, amid warnings of escalation in the Middle East.

Since Hamas's founding in 1987 to resist the occupation, Israel has assassinated a number of its prominent leaders, including Sheikh Ahmed Yassin (founder), Abdel Aziz al-Rantisi, Saleh al-Arouri, Ahmed al-Jabari, and Salah Shehade.

The assassination of Haniyeh comes as Israel, with American support, continues its war on the Gaza Strip since October 7, resulting in over 130,000 Palestinian casualties, mostly children and women, and over 10,000 missing.