Israel’s Hits on Enemy Leaders Change Dynamics of Conflict, Analysts Say

Israel’s actions demonstrate no locale is beyond its reach and ’that they are not cowed by Iran’s hostility,' said Michael Doran, a Hudson Institute analyst.

People gather during a funeral procession for Ismail Haniyeh, political leader of terror group Hamas, and his bodyguard, who were killed on July 31, 2024, in Tehran, Iran, on Aug. 1, 2024. Office of the Iranian Supreme Leader/Getty Images

The killings of the top Hamas and Hezbollah leadership put pressure on the terrorist groups and Iran to respond, heighten the chance of war, and change the dynamics of the conflicts, according to analysts.

Iran was drawn in more deeply because the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, political head of the Hamas terrorist organization, on July 31, took place in Tehran while he was a guest of the Iranian government. Israel has not taken credit for the attack.