ANKARA

Israel informed the US administration that it was behind the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on July 31 in the Iranian capital Tehran, a media report said on Wednesday.

"While Israel has declined to comment on Haniyeh’s killing, it informed U.S. officials immediately afterward that it was responsible," the Washington Post reported, quoting three people familiar with the White House’s thinking, but without mentioning their names.

"White House officials responded with surprise and outrage to Haniyeh’s July 31 assassination, which they saw as a setback to their months-long quest to secure a cease-fire in Gaza," the newspaper said.

It added that "behind the scenes" there is growing friction between the US administration and Israel, as the latter continues to take unilateral steps in the conflict that has killed nearly 40,000 Palestinians since the Oct. 7 Hamas incursion, which claimed 1,200 lives and around 250 were taken as hostages.

"U.S. officials are also outraged over Israel failing to inform them before launching other operations to assassinate Hezbollah or Iranian commanders," the WaPo said.

Iran and Hamas accused Israel of carrying out Haniyeh’s assassination, but Tel Aviv has not yet confirmed or denied responsibility.

Hours earlier, Israel killed senior military commander Fouad Shukr in an airstrike in Beirut.

For months, the US, Qatar and Egypt have been trying to reach an agreement between Israel and Hamas to ensure a prisoner exchange and cease-fire in Gaza, but efforts have yet to bear fruit. A brief truce in November saw the exchange of some prisoners and hostages.