Israel's Defense Minister Acknowledges July 31 Assassination of Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, Threatens Houthis

Dec 24, 2024, 04:39 AM

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz publicly acknowledged for the first time that Israel was responsible for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31. During a recent address, Katz stated, "We will severely cripple the Houthis, damage their strategic infrastructure and decapitate their leaders"—a threat directed at the Iran-backed Houthi group in Yemen. Katz's comments, made during a ceremony honoring local security officers, follow a series of missile attacks by the Houthis that have targeted Israel. This admission heightens tensions between Israel and Iran, particularly in the context of ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. Katz's remarks suggest a commitment to taking military action against Houthi leadership, similar to actions taken against Haniyeh and other leaders in the region.