UN Security Council meets over Hamas chief killing

Members of the UN Security Council have called on all concerned parties to refrain from taking actions that might further increase tensions in the Middle East following the killing of a senior leader of the Islamic group Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh.

The UNSC convened an emergency meeting at the request of China and Algeria on Wednesday. On the same day, Hamas said Haniyeh was killed in an Israeli attack during his visit to Iran. At the meeting, many envoys voiced concern that the killing would negatively impact negotiations for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip as well as the release of hostages there.