WASHINGTON: In an interview published Tuesday by Russia’s RIA state news agency, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas claimed that the assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh was designed to prolong the conflict in the Gaza Strip.

Abbas stated, "There is no doubt that the aim of Mr. Haniyeh's assassination is to extend the war and broaden its impact."

He further remarked that this act would negatively affect ongoing negotiations aimed at ending the violence and withdrawing Israeli troops from Gaza.

Abbas also urged Israel to cease its "aggressive actions" against the Palestinian people, adhere to international law, and implement the Arab Peace Initiative. This initiative proposes that Israel normalize relations with its Middle Eastern neighbors in exchange for the liberation of the occupied Palestinian territories.

Tensions in the region have surged since Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran on July 31, after attending the swearing-in ceremony of Iran’s new president.

Both Hamas and Iran have accused Israel of being behind Haniyeh’s assassination, though Tel Aviv has neither confirmed nor denied the allegations.

In response to the assassination and recent events, Israel is on high alert for potential military retaliation from Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah, which has vowed to avenge the death of its senior commander Fuad Shukr, killed in an Israeli airstrike on a Beirut suburb last week.