Iran holds funeral for Hamas chief Haniyeh

China slams killing as UNSC countries call for stepped-up diplomatic efforts

Iran held funeral processions on Thursday for Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh after he was killed in a strike in Teheran blamed on Israel, while United Nations Security Council countries called for stepped-up diplomatic efforts to avert a wider Middle East conflict.

Thousands of mourners paid respects to Haniyeh as the Israeli military confirmed that an airstrike in Gaza last month killed the Hamas military chief, Mohammed Deif.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei led prayers for Haniyeh ahead of his burial in Qatar, with President Masoud Pezeshkian standing next to him. State television later showed the coffins placed in a truck and moved on the street toward the Azadi Square in Teheran and people showering flowers at them.