Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has publicly acknowledged for the first time that Israel was responsible for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran in July. This admission could further escalate tensions between Israel and Iran amid ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon.
Speaking at an event honoring defence ministry staff, Katz warned the Iran-backed Houthi movement in Yemen, which has been attacking commercial ships in the Red Sea, that Israel would take decisive action against them.
He declared, “We have defeated Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran’s defence systems. We’ve also struck Syria’s Assad regime and the ‘axis of evil.’ The Houthi terrorist group will be next.”
He added that Israel would target their infrastructure and leaders, saying, “Just as we eliminated Haniyeh, Sinwar, and Nasrallah in Tehran, Gaza, and Lebanon, we will do the same in Hodeidah and Sana’a.”
Also Read: Iran vows revenge as Hamas leader Haniyeh killed by Israel
The Houthi group claims their attacks on shipping are in solidarity with Palestinians amid the Gaza war. Iran has accused Israel of assassinating Haniyeh in Tehran in late July, but Israel had not previously confirmed responsibility.
At the time of his death, Haniyeh, known for his role in Hamas’ international diplomacy, had been involved in ceasefire talks during the escalating Gaza conflict.
In the months following Haniyeh's death, Israeli forces in Gaza killed Yahya Sinwar, who succeeded Haniyeh as a Hamas leader and was linked to the October 7, 2023, attack that reignited the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Also Read: Hamas leader Haniyeh killed by bomb snuck 2 months ago
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