[KARAH RUCKER]
TO THE MIDDLE EAST WHERE TENSIONS ARE RISING FOLLOWING THE ASSASSINATION OF A SENIOR HAMAS LEADER INSIDE IRAN.
HAMAS IS CLAIMING AN ISRAELI MISSILE HIT THE HOUSE OF ISMAIL (ISH-may-el) HANIYEH (ha-NEE-uh).
WITH THE HIT HAPPENING ON IRANIAN SOIL —
THE SUPREME LEADER OF IRAN HAS REPORTEDLY ISSUED AN ORDER FOR IRAN TO STRIKE ISRAEL DIRECTLY.
THAT’S ACCORDING TO THE NEW YORK TIMES CITING THREE IRANIAN OFFICIALS BRIEFED ON THE ORDER.
HANIYEH WAS THE HAMAS NEGOTIATOR FOR A POSSIBLE HOSTAGE DEAL WITH ISRAEL —
AND MANY FEAR THAT DEAL IS NOW DEAD.
THE STRIKE ON HANIYEH CAME JUST HOURS AFTER AN ISRAELI AIRSTRIKE KILLED A TOP HEZBOLLAH COMMANDER IN *LEBANON*.