Israel’s F-35 fighter jets speculated in assassination of Hamas political leader

Chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated at his residence in Tehran.

The attack, which Hamas claims was carried out by an Israeli airstrike, has sparked significant tension and speculation regarding its implications for regional security, Caliber.Az reports citing the foreign media.

While Iran has yet to confirm the nature of the assault, the incident raises questions about the effectiveness of current air defense systems and the potential for escalating military responses.

In the early hours of July 31, Ismail Haniyeh, Chairman of the Hamas Political Bureau, was killed in an airstrike on his residence in Tehran, according to Hamas. The group has labeled Haniyeh a martyr and attributed the attack to Zionist forces, following his attendance at the inauguration of Iran's new president.

Haniyeh, who has led Hamas since 2017, had been residing abroad since 2019. His influence within the organization was considered less prominent compared to Yehya Sinwar, who leads Hamas in the Gaza Strip. This assassination comes in the wake of an Israeli airstrike in April that killed three of Haniyeh’s sons and four of his grandchildren in Gaza.

Iran has yet to confirm Hamas's assertion that the assassination of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran was carried out by an Israeli airstrike, a scenario that would have significant implications for the country’s air defense systems. BulgarianMilitary.com has not independently verified these claims.

Should the assassination indeed be confirmed as an airstrike, speculation suggests that Israel may have used F-35 fifth-generation fighters. Known for their advanced stealth capabilities and ability to penetrate sophisticated air defense networks, the F-35s are a likely candidate.

In recent operations in Gaza and Lebanon, Israel's F-35 fleet has been unusually active, a feat supported by a significant increase in spare parts provided by the United States and European allies. The U.S. has also supplied guided air-launched munitions in large quantities.

However, the F-35's limited range necessitates mid-air refueling to reach targets as far as Iran. It is speculated that Israel may use external fuel tanks to extend the aircraft's range, which are jettisoned to restore the F-35’s stealth profile before entering Iranian airspace.

Despite claims of an Israeli airstrike, Iranian radar systems, such as the Russian-supplied Rezonans-NE, were previously thought capable of detecting F-35s even in full stealth mode. However, these systems may lack the targeting capability required to engage such aircraft effectively. If the airstrike is confirmed, it could drive Iran to enhance its air defense capabilities substantially. Potential upgrades might include acquiring the KJ-500 airborne early warning and control system or accelerating the deployment of Su-35 fighters equipped with L-band radars.

Ismail Haniyeh was in Tehran for the inauguration of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian when he was targeted. His assassination marks the latest in a series of high-profile figures from Hamas and Iran who have been targeted by Israeli airstrikes in recent months.