Biden says killing of Hamas leader Haniyeh not helpful for ceasefire talks

US President Joe Biden said on Thursday the killing of Hamas's political leader Ismail Haniyeh was not helpful for reaching a ceasefire in Israel's war on Gaza.

There has been an increased risk of an escalation into a broader Middle East war after the assassination of Haniyeh in Iran drew threats of retaliation against Israel.

Hamas and Iran's Revolutionary Guards confirmed the death of Haniyeh, who had participated in internationally brokered indirect talks on reaching a ceasefire in Gaza.

Anxious residents in Israeli-besieged Gaza feared that Haniyeh's killing on Wednesday would prolong the war.

Iran said the killing took place hours after he attended a swearing-in ceremony for its new president.

"It doesn't help," Biden told reporters late on Thursday, when asked if Haniyeh's assassination ruined the chances for a ceasefire agreement.

Biden also said he had a direct conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier on Thursday.

Netanyahu's government has issued no claim of responsibility but he has said Israel had delivered crushing blows to Iran's proxies of late, including Hamas and Hezbollah, and would respond forcefully to any attack.

Israel's tensions with Iran and Hezbollah have fanned fears of a widened war in a region already on edge amid Israel's assault on Gaza which has killed tens of thousands and caused a humanitarian crisis.

Israel's war on Gaza has killed at least 39,480 people in the Palestinian enclave, according to its health ministry.

It has also displaced nearly the entire 2.3-million-strong population of Gaza, causing a hunger crisis and leading to accusations of genocide, which Israel denies.

A Hamas-led 7 October attack on Israel killed 1,200 people and saw about 250 captives taken, according to Israeli tallies.

The United States has said it was not involved in the killing of Haniyeh.

(Reuters)