New Delhi: Iran has raised a red flag over the Jamkaran Mosque in Qom following the alleged killing of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in an Israeli airstrike. The red flag, a symbol of vengeance, was hoisted after Iran accused Israel of assassinating Haniyeh while he was in the country for the inauguration of President Masoud Pezeshkian.Symbol of retaliation, mourningThe red flag is traditionally raised during Muharram to signify the blood of martyrs. Its hoisting over the mosque underscores Irans vow for revenge. This act comes after images and videos surfaced of Haniyeh meeting Irans Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, just before the assassination.#BREAKING Iran raises the red flag of revenge on the dome of Jamkaran Mosque after the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. pic.twitter.com/bZN9RybOti— Clash Report (@clashreport) July 31, 2024Condemnation from Irans Revolutionary GuardThe Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) condemned the killing, labeling it as criminal and cowardly. They accused Israel of targeting Haniyeh to distract from its prolonged and unsuccessful campaign in Gaza, where Israeli forces have struggled despite advanced weaponry.Funeral in TehranHaniyehs funeral will be held in Tehran before his body is transported to Doha, Qatar, for burial. The attack reportedly occurred while Haniyeh was at his residence in northern Tehran, killing him and several associates.Irans quest for justiceThe red flag, inscribed with Ya la-tharat al-Hussein (O avengers of Hussein), symbolizes the quest for justice, rooted in the historical context of Hussain ibn Ali, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, who was martyred in the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD. The flags presence in Qom, a significant religious and educational hub in Iran, highlights the depth of Irans commitment to avenging Haniyehs death.
