Leon Goldsmith: Middle East politics expert on the effects of the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

A Middle East politics expert says the assassination of a Hamas political leader will have reverberating effects.

Iran's vowing to avenge the killing of Ismail Haniyeh after his reported death in an air strike in Tehran.

It's declared three days of mourning and is promising what it calls "harsh punishment" against Israel.

It follows an Israeli strike on a Hezbollah commander in Lebanon.

Otago University's Leon Goldsmith told Ryan Bridge it takes a ceasefire deal off the table for now.

He says Israel's probably sending a strong message that no one is safe with the two leaders killed inside one day.

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