Benjamin Netanyahu warned of “challenging days ahead,” but did not claim Israeli involvement in Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh’s death. Meanwhile, Hezbollah confirmed one of its leaders was killed on Tuesday.
China, Russia and Iran were among the delegations condemning the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh during an emergency session of the UN Security Council.
Chinese Ambassador Fu Cong called on “countries with major influence” to further pressure for a cease-fire agreement, saying that failure to reach a truce in Gaza was the reason for escalations.
The United States urged members of the Council with influence over Iran to “increase pressure on it to stop escalating its proxy conflict against Israel and other actors,” said Robert Wood, deputy US representative.
Iranian Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani called on the Security Council to condemn Israel, while Israel’s deputy representative Jonathan Miller urged condemning Iran for supporting Hamas and Hezbollah.
“We will defend ourselves and respond with great force against those who harm us,” Miller said.
British Ambassador Barbara Woodward called on Israel and Hamas to commit to a peace process toward a two-state solution.
“The path to peace must be through diplomatic negotiations. Long-term peace will not be secured by bombs and bullets,” she said.
