'Death to Israel, death to America': Calls for revenge at Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh's funeral

Iran on Thursday held funeral processions for Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh after he was killed in a "treacherous Zionist raid on his residence in Tehran." The procession echoed with the calls for revenge at "the right time and in the right place," AFP reported.

"It is our duty to respond at the right time and in the right place," said Iranian parliamentarian Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf in a speech as the crowds chanted "Death to Israel, death to America!"

The caskets, adorned with a black-and-white pattern resembling a Palestinian keffiyeh scarf, were transported on a flower-covered truck through shaded streets.

Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei led prayers for Haniyeh before his burial in Qatar and had previously vowed a "harsh punishment" in response to his killing.

'Our duty is to seek revenge for his blood'

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, after the Hamas chief's death had said that it was "our duty to seek revenge for his blood as he was martyred in the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran".

While Iran has accused Israel of being behind the attack, the latter has not commented on Haniyeh's death.

However, Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday that his country had delivered "crushing blows" to its enemies in recent days.

“These are challenging days. There are threats from Beirut. We are ready for any scenario. We are prepared,” he said, emphasizing that Israel would respond forcefully to any attacks. “We’ll settle the score with anyone who harms us, anyone who massacres our children, anyone who murders our citizens, anyone who hurts our nation,” he said according to CNN.

Netanyahu pledged to destroy Hamas in response to the October 7 attack that sparked the conflict in Gaza. This attack resulted in 1,197 deaths, predominantly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. Additionally, militants took 251 hostages, 111 of whom are still held in Gaza, with 39 confirmed dead, according to military reports.