Tehran: Iran's Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the Israeli assassination of Izz El-Din Al-Haddad, head of Hamas's Qassam Brigades in Gaza, stating that Israel is pursuing a 'colonial eradication' of Palestine. In a statement on Saturday, the ministry denounced the 'terrorist act' carried out by the 'brutal Zionist regime' in killing Haddad, along with his wife and child.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, the ministry offered congratulations and condolences over the 'martyrdom of this great fighter' to the leadership of Hamas, the 'patient and struggling' Palestinian people, and 'all Muslims and freedom-seekers around the world.' The assassination and similar attacks were described as 'part of Israel's criminal scheme for the colonial eradication of Palestine.' The statement further accused the US of being 'complicit in each and every one of these crimes' as 'the largest military, financial, and political supporter of the Zionist apartheid regime.'

The Foreign Ministry also stated that the 'cowardly assassination' of Palestinian leaders and intellectuals demonstrated the 'desperation and helplessness' of a regime that, despite committing 'the most horrific crimes' and killing 'hundreds of thousands of innocent people' over the past eight decades, had not succeeded in extinguishing the spirit of resistance among Palestinians. The statement emphasized that 'Palestinians are more determined than ever to fight for their human rights, especially the right to self-determination.'

The ministry stressed that the 'physical elimination' of resistance commanders and Palestinian elites would not weaken the resistance movement but would instead inspire 'followers and fighters on the path of Palestine's dignity and freedom.' The military wing of Hamas announced on Saturday that Al-Haddad, also known as Abu Suheib, had been killed in a 'cowardly' Israeli assassination operation and termed it a blatant violation of the ceasefire agreement.