In a rare public admission, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz on Monday confirmed that Israel had killed Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in July in Iran, escalating tensions in an already volatile Middle East. Katz also issued a chilling warning to the Iran-backed Houthi movement in Yemen, promising to “behead their leaders” and destroy their strategic infrastructure.
Speaking at an event honoring defense ministry personnel, Katz said, “These days, when the Houthi terrorist organization is firing missiles at Israel, I want to convey a clear message: We have defeated Hamas, we have defeated Hezbollah, we have blinded Iran’s defense systems and damaged their production systems. We have toppled the Assad regime in Syria, and we will also deal a severe blow to the Houthi terrorist organization in Yemen, which remains the last to stand.”
Katz directly referenced the deaths of high-profile figures in Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran’s networks, including Ismail Haniyeh, Yahya Sinwar, and Hassan Nasrallah, stating, “Just as we did to Haniyeh in Tehran, Sinwar in Gaza, and Nasrallah in Lebanon – we will do it in Hodeidah and Sana’a.”
Houthi Attacks on Israel
The Houthis, based in Yemen and backed by Iran, have been targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea, aiming to enforce a naval blockade on Israel. The Houthis claim their actions are in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, a region ravaged by Israel’s relentless military campaign following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks that killed over 1,200 Israelis.
Israel’s response to Hamas’ actions has been a full-scale offensive on Gaza, accompanied by strikes on Hezbollah positions in Lebanon.
Rising Regional Tensions
The admission of targeting Haniyeh, along with threats directed at the Houthis, is likely to increase friction between Israel and Iran. Tehran, which supports both Hamas and the Houthis, has warned of severe repercussions against Israel’s military actions.
This marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict, as Israel signals its willingness to expand its operations beyond its borders to address threats from Yemen, Lebanon, and Iran. The region remains on edge as tensions continue to rise.