Ismail Haniyeh was killed by an explosive device in Tehran in July
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has acknowledged for the first time that West Jerusalem was responsible for the assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran this summer.
Haniyeh, who was the Palestinian armed group’s chief negotiator in indirect ceasefire talks with Israel, was killed by an explosive device in the Iranian capital in late July, hours after attending the inauguration of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
Israel had taken responsibility for the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and the head of the Lebanese movement Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, which occurred in recent months, but had not confirmed its involvement in Haniyeh’s death.
Katz’s corroboration came as he issued a warning to Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who continue their strikes against Israel, at a commemoration event for Israeli security officers on Monday.
"These days, when the Houthi terror organization is firing missiles at Israel, I want to convey a clear message to them: We have defeated Hamas, we have defeated Hezbollah, we have blinded the defense systems in Iran, and damaged the [missile] production systems. We have overthrown the Assad regime in Syria, we have dealt heavy blows to the ‘axis of evil,’ and we will also severely strike the Houthi terror organization in Yemen, which remains the last one standing,” the minister said, as cited by the Times of Israel.
The government of former Syrian President Bashar Assad fell earlier this month after a swift advance by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and other armed groups. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted that this was “a direct result” of the bombing of Syria and Iran by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Katz warned that Israel will “strike strategic infrastructure [of the Houthis] and decapitate its leaders. Just as we did to Haniyeh, Sinwar, and Nasrallah, in Tehran, Gaza, and Lebanon – we will do in Hodeidah and [Yemen’s capital] Sanaa.”
“Whoever raises a hand against Israel will have their hand cut off, and the long arm of the IDF will strike them and settle the score,” he added.
Soon after Haniyeh’s killing, Iran said it was “orchestrated and executed” by Israel, and promised to retaliate at a time of its choosing. The response came in October when Tehran fired over 180 ballistic missiles at targets in Israel.
The latest Houthi attack took place last week when a missile from Yemen breached Israeli air defenses and hit a park in Tel Aviv, injuring more than a dozen people.
Read also
‘Twas The Night Before A’s-Mas...
'Idiot' MAGA senator mocked for claiming Trump brought Christmas 'back'
В России квартиры в долгосрочную аренду начали сдаваться быстрее в 2024 году
Около 1,8 тысячи жителей трех округов столицы приступают к переселению по реновации
Вице-мэр Ефимов: На юге столицы инвесторы строят семь школ и детских садов в рамках возведения жилых комплексов
Филиал № 4 ОСФР по Москве и Московской области информирует:
В 2024 году Отделение СФР по Москве и Московской области назначило единое пособие родителям 370,5 тысячи детей
Путинцева о том, как с травмой колена победила Швентек на «Уимблдоне»: «Думала: блин, пусть после этого матча вообще больше ничего не сыграю, но ее я сегодня обыграю»
Елена Рыбакина проводит 100-ю неделю подряд в топ-10 рейтинга WTA
Соболенко прибыла на первый турнир 2025 года после решения Рыбакиной
Тарпищев о допинге Синнера и Швёнтек: правила игры должны быть едиными