Hamas leader likely to derail Gaza peace talks, inflame regional tensionsTracy Wilkinson and Nabih Bulos | Los Angeles Times (TNS)WASHINGTON — The killing Wednesday of top Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh will likely derail urgent U.S.-led talks to stop the fighting in Gaza and open the door to a potentially ferocious response from Iran. Both President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris separately hammered him on the vital importance of agreeing to a cease-fire. The hostages were captured in the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks in southern Israel that killed nearly 1,200 Israelis and triggered the current conflict. Nearly 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s brutal subsequent invasion of Gaza, spurring a massive humanitarian crisis as well. And Hamas leaders quickly said Wednesday that no killings will stop its fight for Palestinian liberation.

Source: Los Angeles Times August 01, 2024 17:55 UTC