Israel Acknowledges Assassination of Hamas Leader Haniyeh

For the first time, Israel has publicly admitted to assassinating Ismail Haniyeh, the political chief of Hamas. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the operation during an event recognizing Defense Ministry personnel. He also issued a stern warning to the Yemen-based Houthi movement, emphasizing that they too would face significant repercussions.

Katz described the action as part of Israel’s broader strategy against what he termed the “axis of evil.” He declared, “We have defeated Hamas, Hezbollah, and impaired Iran’s defense and production systems. We have also undermined the regime in Syria.” Addressing the Houthis directly, Katz threatened to target their strategic infrastructure and leadership, referencing similar operations in Gaza, Lebanon, and Tehran.

The Houthis, who have launched several missile attacks on Israel in recent months, claimed responsibility for a recent strike on Tel Aviv using a hypersonic ballistic missile. This attack resulted in minor injuries and damage in Jaffa.

Haniyeh’s assassination occurred on July 31 in Tehran, where he was attending the inauguration of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Reports from Iranian state media stated that Haniyeh and his bodyguard were killed by a precision-guided projectile that struck a residence for military veterans. Until Katz's recent confirmation, Israeli authorities had neither confirmed nor denied involvement.

The killing of Haniyeh ignited widespread outrage in Palestine and heightened fears of a broader regional conflict. In response, Iran vowed harsh retaliation. In October, Iran launched missile attacks on Israeli cities, citing the assassination of Hamas and Hezbollah leaders as the motive. While Israel reported minimal damage and injuries, Palestinian authorities confirmed one fatality in the West Bank due to falling debris.

This acknowledgment marks a significant development in Israel’s stance, signaling its intent to maintain a strong position against perceived threats in the region.