Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, admitted on Monday that Israel was responsible for the assassination of former Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran earlier this year. Katz also warned that Israel would take similar action against the leadership of Yemen’s Houthi rebels. He said, “We will target the Houthis and eliminate their leadership, just like we did with Haniyeh, Yahya Sinwar, and Hassan Nasrallah.”
This was the first time an Israeli official publicly confirmed Israel’s involvement in Haniyehβs death, which occurred in July, a day after he attended the inauguration of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Katz added that anyone who harms Israel will be held accountable by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).
Although Israel had previously acknowledged the attacks on Sinwar and Nasrallah, this was the first admission regarding Haniyeh’s assassination. In October, tensions between Israel and Iran escalated when Iran launched missiles at Israeli targets, claiming it was a retaliation for Haniyeh’s death and other Israeli operations. While Israel said most missiles were destroyed, some hit various areas, but no major casualties were reported.
