TRANSCRIPT
Ismail Haniyeh, a high ranking Hamas official, has been found dead following an air strike on his home in Tehran.
A bodyguard that was protecting his residence has also been killed in the attack, with no individual or group claiming responsibility for the murder.
Hamas Deputy Chief Khalil Al-Hayya says the circumstances of Haniyeh's death are being investigated.
Arabic, then translated* "As for the accident my dear brother, it is not clear from witnesses who were with brother Ismail (Haniyeh). Because it was a rocket that entered the room that the brother Ismail was in, and he was hit directly. And now we await full investigations from the concerned parties, our brothers, because this was clearly a rocket that destroyed glass and windows and some doors, as well as some walls. So therefore it is clear that the rocket, from witnesses that were with him in this house, have seen this."
Hamas has blamed Israel for the assassination of Haniyeh, claiming he was killed during a raid on his residence.
The murder of the high ranking Hamas official comes shortly after the death of a Hezbollah commander who was killed in an Israel air strike on southern Beirut.
Iran has vowed to take vengeance on Israel for the two killings, which Iran says will not go unpunished.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned his nation's residents that there are difficult days ahead.
Hebrew, then translated* "There are challenging days ahead of us. Since the attack in Beirut, threats have been heard from all sides. We are prepared for any scenario and will stand united and determined against any threat. Israel will exact a heavy price from any aggression against us on any front."
Mr Netanyahu did not mention the death of Ismael Haniyeh, but has said that his country has dealt a crushing blow to its opponents in the last few days.
Haniyeh was considered one of the key players in the ongoing negotiations between Israel, Hamas, Egypt, Qatar, and the U-S, for a ceasefire in Gaza.
There are fears that his death will further push back discussions, leading to an increase of civilian casualties in Gaza.
But White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby is attempting to play down those concerns.
"It's always been a complicated process. I mean, my goodness, how many times have we talked about it in the last few months and even in just the last few weeks? I think it's too soon to know what any of these reported events could mean for the ceasefire deal. But if I could add two points. One is that doesn't mean we're going to stop working on it. In fact, we have a team in the region right now as we speak to try to continue to work with our counterparts to move this forward because it's that important. And number two, as I kind of alluded to earlier, it's always been complicated work. And it's not like the complications with every passing day get easier. And that includes today."
Mr Kirby says the U-S remains committed towards Israel's right to defend itself from outside threats, and will provide support if Iran chooses to attack.
"We have and will maintain a level of readiness to preserve our national security interest in the region. It's not like we take a blind eye to what Iran is capable of doing and has shown their capability of doing in the region. It's not like we've demonstrated an unwillingness to defend Israel from threats in the region, including from Iran if that happens, and we maintain that capability in that readiness to do so."
With the threat of an all-out war in the region appearing more and more likely, outside forces are attempting to de-escalate tensions.
Locally, Defence Minister Richard Marles has issued a warning the situation in the Middle East needs to end after the assassination of the political chief of Hamas.
Mr Marles says the security situation in the region could deteriorate quickly.
"We definitely want to ensure that we do not see an escalation in what's playing out in the Middle East because the consequences of that would be profound. It would be profound in respect of the loss of innocent lives, and that's why Australia has used its advocacy within the international community to call for a ceasefire and to prevent or to argue against any escalation."
Meanwhile, the United Nations [[UN]] has held an emergency meeting of its Security Council, calling for both sides to exercise restraint.
The special coordinator for Lebanon, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, has issued a statement saying that there is no such thing as a military solution for the region.
Stephane Dujarric [[stef-AHN dooJARRIK]], the spokesman for the U-N secretary-general Antonio Guterres, says everyone must work together to prevent further casualties.
"The Secretary-General has consistently called for maximum restraint by all. It is increasingly clear, however, that restraint alone is insufficient at this extremely sensitive time. The Secretary-General urges all to vigorously work towards regional de-escalation in the interest of long-term peace and stability for all. The international community must work together to urgently prevent any actions that could push the entire Middle East over the edge, with a devastating impact on civilians. The way to do so is by advancing comprehensive diplomatic action for regional de-escalation."
The news of Haniyeh's death sparked demonstrations in the streets of Istanbul, with protesters calling on the government to sever all diplomatic ties with Israel.
Turkiye's prime minister Reccep Tayyip Erdogan [[ret-CHEP TY-yip ER-doe-ahn]] who has repeatedly stated his anti-Israeli sentiments, also condemned the murder.
One protester says the ideals of the Hamas leader will live on through his followers.
"Certainly, people come and go, (but) ideas and stances never die. If one Haniyeh is killed, thousands of Haniyehs will be born. This is our belief. Palestinians will become even stronger and continue their resistance and we will continue to support them from here."
The actions of Israel are considered payback for the Hezbollah attack on Golan Heights a few days back that led to the death of twelve children and teenagers who were playing football on a local pitch.
The Australian government has advised its citizens against travelling to Lebanon, warning any of its citizens that remain in the region to return home as soon as possible.
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong is warning people in Lebanon that if they do not return now, they could be left stranded in the country for a very long time.
"Now is not the time for Australians in the region to wait and see what happens. Now is the time to leave. If you are in Australia and thinking of travelling to Lebanon, do not. There is a real risk that the conflict in the region escalates seriously. The security situation could deteriorate quickly with little or no notice. Some commercial flights are still operating. If you can leave, you should. Beirut airport could close completely if the situation worsens, and if that happens, the government may not be able to help Australians still in Lebanon to evacuate."
