China has condemned the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, labeling it a “criminal act.” Reports indicate that Haniyeh was killed on Wednesday during an Israeli raid on his Tehran residence, just a day after he attended the inauguration of Iran’s new President, Masoud Pezeshkian.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated, “We are monitoring the situation closely. China firmly opposes this act of assassination and is concerned that it may lead to further unrest in the region,” during a press conference.
In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the matter, implying participation in the raid. “From the war’s outset, I’ve made it clear that we are confronting the Iranian axis of evil,” he stated, referring to groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. He claimed Israel has recently dealt significant blows to these organizations.
Lin reiterated China’s commitment to resolving conflicts through negotiation. “China advocates for resolving regional disputes via dialogue and calls for a comprehensive ceasefire in Gaza,” he noted.
Seeking to position itself as a key player in Middle Eastern peace efforts, China aims to reduce U.S. influence in the region. Last year, it facilitated the renewal of diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Recently, China hosted discussions among Palestinian factions, including Hamas and Fatah, leading to an agreement on a potential unified Palestinian government.
Since October, China’s special envoy, Zhai Jun, has been visiting regional capitals to promote a ceasefire in Gaza, although he has not yet traveled to Israel. Relations between China and Israel have soured since the October 7 attacks by Hamas, which resulted in over 1,000 deaths in Israel. While China has not condemned these attacks, it has expressed concerns about Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
Researcher Tuvia Gering from Tel Aviv University criticized China’s approach, noting that while they welcome groups like Hamas, they condemn the killing of Haniyeh, who was linked to the October tragedy.
The assassination has only intensified the ongoing conflict, which has escalated beyond Israel and Gaza. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei promised retaliation, heightening fears of escalating tensions into open warfare. Recent months have already seen a rise in hostilities, with Iran and its allies launching attacks in response to Israeli strikes.
Haniyeh’s death follows Israel’s claimed responsibility for the killing of senior Hezbollah commander Fouad Shukr in Beirut, amid escalating tensions in the region. As of now, neither the Chinese nor Israeli foreign ministries have commented further on the situation.