By Ari Rabinovitch
JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israel’s government maintained a deliberate silence over the assassination of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Iran on Wednesday but for many Israelis, the killing of one of their most high profile enemies was a welcome moment after months of war.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose security credentials were shattered by one of the worst attacks on Israeli soil, by Hamas gunmen on Oct. 7, was meeting defence officials in anticipation of the next step.
But already he appeared to benefit from the near nonstop coverage by the country’s four leading television channels on Wednesday, all carrying banner headlines reading “Ismail Haniyeh eliminated in Tehran.”
In much of Israel there was a mood of satisfaction, a day after Israel’s military said it killed one of the most senior leaders of Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Beirut in retaliation for a deadly attack in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
Netanyahu had already gained a boost in opinion polls following his speech to the U.S. Congress last week, and the successive blows to Hezbollah and Hamas went some way to restoring the image of an Israel taking action against its enemies, said Aviv Bushinsky, a former communications adviser to the prime minister.
“People in Israel are happy that for the first time, something really happened,” he said. “So I think Netanyahu gained a lot and you’re going to see it in the polls. It shows that he can still run the show, it shows he knows what he’s doing and he has some kind of a plan.”
Commentators and experts mulled over the capabilities needed to carry out such an assassination – on Iranian territory – while also speculating how it might impact the war in Gaza and the chances of reaching a hostage release deal.
“This is an amazing achievement of intelligence linked to operations, that lead to the result,” Amos Gilad, a former senior defence official, said on Channel 12. “Regarding the performance we can say it was impressive, whoever carried it out.”
The government’s press office posted an image of Haniyeh on Facebook with the word “eliminated” pasted on his forehead but the post appeared to have been removed later in the day. A couple of junior ministers not part of the inner circle of officials making strategic decisions also took to social media to celebrate the operation.
But officially Netanyahu’s government has maintained silence over the operation, in an increasingly rare sign of unity from his fractious coalition. “We are not commenting on that particular incident,” a spokesperson told a briefing with journalists.
STALLED TALKS
The assassination came amid faltering negotiations over a Gaza ceasefire proposal that includes the release of Israeli hostages held captive since Hamas’ Oct. 7 assault on southern Israel that sparked the war.
Egypt and Qatar, which have been mediating talks, both said the killing may complicate ceasefire efforts to end a war that has left Israel increasingly isolated internationally.
Iran and Hamas have both threatened retribution, but for many, the blow to Israel’s sworn enemies was welcomed as a potential boost to the chances of ending the war.
“I think it’s good news, both the assassination of Haniyeh and the assassination of the number two of Hezbollah yesterday. It’s good news for Israel, for the world. Hopefully it will also contribute to the end of the war and to the release of the hostages.” said Eitan Gurel, 72, in Tel Aviv.
Pictures of people distributing sweets were shared on social media and in one Jerusalem supermarket, a table of biscuits and sweets were laid out for shoppers to take, under a sign reading “The people of Israel live”.
The forum of families of Israeli hostages put out a statement that supported the recent “important targeted eliminations” along with military achievements from the past 10 months in Gaza.
“But Israel must remember that it is not possible to achieve victory without using those achievements to return home all the hostages,” it said.
Shay Dickmann, whose cousin Carmel Gat is one of 115 hostages being held in Gaza, said only a deal could bring them all home.
“I don’t know how this news affects the deal, but I wish, I really wish for all the forces around the world to gather in order to bring our people back home. I hope our politicians will know to (turn) this news into the release of the hostages.”
(Reporting by Rami Amichay, Ari Rabinovitch, James Mackenzie and Dedi Hayoun; Editing by Sharon Singleton, Ros Russell, William Maclean)
