Tensions flare after the assassination of senior Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh

Senior Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated by an overnight strike Wednesday in Tehran, Iran's capital. Iran is blaming Israel for Haniyeh's death. Asked about Haniyeh’s killing, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, the U.S. did not have any information on the Haniyeh's assassination and how it could impact cease-fire efforts between Hamas and Israel. Israel had pledged to kill Haniyeh and other Hamas leaders who masterminded the October 7 attack on southern Israel that sparked the war in Gaza. Anticipating a retaliatory strike from Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran against retaliatory strikes. VOA’s Esther Githui-Ewart talks to Nola Haynes, political scientist at Georgetown University, School of Foreign Service on the implications Haniyeh's death could have in the region.