US to protect Israel from 'revenge attacks' following Haniyeh's killing

The United States (US) has said that it will defend Israel against any attacks seeking revenge for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. 

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made the statement while addressing a press conference in the Philippines.

Austin said that a wider war in the Middle East is not inevitable, expressing hope for diplomatic solutions. 

"I don't think war is inevitable... I think there's always room and opportunities for diplomacy," he said.

"What we have seen along the border, northern border, with Israel over time that's been a concern of ours.

"Again, We are going to give everything we can to make sure that we keep things from turning into a broader conflict throughout the region."

Haniyeh was killed in a missile attack on his residence in Tehran, along with one of his bodyguards, according to Iranian state media. 

The Revolutionary Guards stated that the cause of the attack is under investigation and will be announced soon.

"Early this morning, the residence of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran was struck, resulting in his and one of his bodyguards' martyrdom. The cause is under investigation and will be announced soon," a statement issued by the IRGC read.

Haniyeh was in Tehran to attend the swearing-in ceremony of newly-elected Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday. 

His death was also confirmed by Hamas, who claimed that Haniyeh was killed in a "treacherous Zionist raid".

"The Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas mourns to our great Palestinian people, to the Arab and Islamic nation, and to all the free people of the world: Brother, leader, martyr, Mujahid Ismail Haniyeh," the Palestinian jihadist group said in a statement.

"The head of the movement, who was killed in a treacherous Zionist raid on his residence in Tehran, after participating in the inauguration ceremony of the new Iranian president. To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return. And it is a jihad, victory or martyrdom," it added.

Senior Hamas official Moussa Abu Marzouk termed the killing of Haniyeh a "cowardly act" and vowed that it will not go unpunished. 

"The assassination of Ismail Haniyeh is a cowardly act that will not go unpunished," he said while talking to Al-Aqsa TV.

In a separate incident last night, Israel claimed to have assassinated a senior commander of Hezbollah in a targeted attack in southern Beirut.

However, the claims were denied by Hezbollah, who confirmed that their commander had survived the attack.