Official announcements from the Palestinian Authority or major news agencies

West Bank Declares Strike Over Assassination of Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran Airstrike

Jul 31, 2024, 03:54 PM

A full strike has been declared across the West Bank in response to the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. The strike, which began in al-Zahiriyeh, Hebron, has spread to cities including Ramallah, Jenin, Qalqilia, and Bethlehem. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas declared a day of mourning, ordering flags to be flown at half-mast. The assassination, carried out in an airstrike in Tehran, also resulted in the death of Haniyeh's bodyguard and has led to widespread protests in the West Bank, Lebanon, Iran, Turkey, and Iraq. Thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets in cities such as Ankara, Istanbul, and Nablus, condemning the killing. Palestinian factions have called for general strikes and marches, with shops closing in Ramallah and other areas. The assassination has been met with widespread condemnation, with many referring to it as a 'cowardly' act.