Hamas Mourns Death of Khamenei, Demands US-Israel Accountability

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia — The death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, following attacks by the United States and Israel, has prompted the Palestinian liberation movement Hamas to issue a statement of mourning.

In its official statement published by news agency AFP, Hamas described Ali Khamenei as a strong supporter of the Palestinian independence movement. Hamas holds the United States and Israel entirely responsible for his death.

“The United States and the fascist occupation government bear full responsibility for this brazen aggression and heinous crimes against the sovereignty of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and for its serious consequences for regional security and stability,” stated the Palestinian Islamist movement, as reported by AFP on Sunday (1 March 2026).

Hamas’s armed wing, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, described Khamenei as “a principal supporter of the Axis of Resistance and its fighters.”

“We in Hamas mourn the passing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He provided every form of political, diplomatic, and military support to our people, our struggle, and our resistance,” Hamas stated.

Hamas further noted that all support provided by the Islamic Republic of Iran to the Palestinian people over several decades was channelled through decisions made directly by Ali Khamenei and under his full supervision.

“This immense support has been a key factor in the development of resistance and tactics, culminating in the extraordinary achievements during the 7 October 2023 offensive against Israel,” said the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades in a separate statement.

Hamas, which has been at war with Israel in Gaza for years, characterised Khamenei’s killing as a “war crime” by the United States and Israel in what it described as a “treacherous and malicious attack.”