Cairo: For the first time, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has publicly admitted Israel’s responsibility for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran in July. This acknowledgment comes amid heightened regional tensions, exacerbated by Israel’s ongoing conflict in Gaza and clashes with Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz admitted for the first time publicly to Israel's killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran https://t.co/tpz5JapoQM pic.twitter.com/LbXtE4y4jU
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In a speech on Monday, Katz conveyed a stern warning to Iran-backed groups. “These days, when the Houthi terrorist organization is firing missiles at Israel, I want to convey a clear message to them at the beginning of my remarks: We have defeated Hamas, we have defeated Hezbollah, we have blinded Iran’s defense systems and damaged the production systems, we have toppled the Assad regime in Syria, we have dealt a severe blow to the axis of evil, and we will also deal a severe blow to the Houthi terrorist organization in Yemen, which remains the last to stand,” Katz said.
Katz elaborated on Israel’s commitment to neutralizing threats, adding, “We will damage their strategic infrastructure, and we will behead their leaders—just as we did to Haniyeh, Sinwar, and Nasrallah in Tehran, Gaza, and Lebanon—we will do it in Hodeidah and Sana’a.”
The statement came during an event honoring defense ministry personnel and marks a significant escalation in Israel’s rhetoric against adversaries across the region.
Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran in late July, with Iranian authorities blaming Israel at the time. While Israel had not directly claimed responsibility then, Katz’s admission confirms longstanding speculation about Israel’s involvement. Haniyeh, usually based in Qatar, was a key figure in Hamas’ international diplomacy efforts. His death occurred amidst efforts to negotiate a ceasefire in Gaza following the conflict triggered by Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel.
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Additionally, Israeli forces recently eliminated Yahya Sinwar, Haniyeh’s successor and alleged mastermind of the October 7 assault, further intensifying hostilities in the decades-long Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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The Houthis, a Yemen-based Iran-aligned group, have escalated their attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, claiming their actions are in solidarity with Palestinians. Katz’s remarks signal Israel’s readiness to counter these threats, with a clear message of deterrence.
