Israel eliminates key Hamas leader amid escalating tensions

According to the IDF, Al-Zeriei was in charge of the production department of Hamas's military wing and was the Hamas economy minister in Gaza.

"He had a significant role in directing Hamas' efforts to seize control of humanitarian aid entering Gaza and in managing Hamas-controlled markets. Additionally, he was responsible for the distribution of fuel, gas and funds for terrorist purposes," read the statement.

This is another terrorist eliminated by Israel. Last week, Hezbollah's leading military commander, Fauda Shukr, was killed. Subsequently, Hamas's political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, was also killed.

Israel has not confirmed or denied its responsibility for the assassination in Tehran to this day.

- Iran is not looking to escalate regional tensions but believes it needs to punish Israel to prevent further instability - said Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Naser Kanaani at a Monday press conference in Tehran.

Kanaani emphasized that "punishing" Israel for the attack that killed Hamas's political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last week is "necessary" - reported Reuters. Iran supports and finances the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas, as well as other anti-Israeli militant groups.

- Iran seeks to establish stability in the region, but this will only come with punishing the aggressor and creating deterrence against the adventurism of the Zionist regime (Israel) - said Kanaani.

These comments, according to Bloomberg, may signal that Iran is trying to avoid an open war with Israel while responding to the attack Tehran has blamed on Israeli forces.

Kanaani also called on the United States to stop supporting Israel, saying that the international community has failed in its duty to protect stability in the Middle East and should support "punishment of the aggressor."