Israel Breaks Silence On The Assassination Of Hamas Leader Haniyeh, Vows Houthis Of Similar Fate Amid Escalating Conflict

In a striking admission, Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, confirmed that Israel was behind the assassination of Hamas' top leader, Ismail Haniyeh, last summer. Haniyeh was killed in an explosion in Iran in July, an act previously shrouded in ambiguity but widely attributed to Israel. Katz’s remarks on Monday (23 December) marked the first official acknowledgment of the operation.

In a firm warning, Katz stated that similar action could be directed against the Houthi rebel group in Yemen, citing their increasing missile and drone attacks on Israel during the ongoing conflict. “We will strike [the Houthis'] strategic infrastructure and cut off the head of the leadership,” Katz declared. He also linked the Houthis to the Iranian-led regional alliance, which includes Hamas and Hezbollah.

The Defence Minister elaborated on Israel's past actions, noting its success in neutralizing key leaders across the region. “Just like we did to Haniyeh, Sinwar and Nasrallah in Tehran, Gaza and Lebanon, we will do in Hodeida and Sanaa,” Katz asserted.

The reference to Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader in Gaza, and Hassan Nasrallah, Hezbollah’s leader in Lebanon, further underscored Israel’s readiness to target adversarial leaderships aligned with Iran.

The Iranian-backed Houthi rebels have escalated their missile and drone offensives against Israel throughout the war. A missile launched on Saturday struck Tel Aviv, injuring at least 16 people. In response, Israel has conducted three rounds of airstrikes in Yemen, aiming to cripple the Houthis' operational capabilities.

Israel has also committed to increasing military pressure on the Houthis until their attacks cease. Katz’s announcement emphasized Israel’s broader regional strategy of dismantling what it perceives as threats emanating from Iran’s sphere of influence.

The confirmation of Haniyeh’s assassination and the warning to the Houthis signal Israel's resolve to counter aggression through decisive military action, even beyond its borders. With ongoing hostilities, these developments underline the volatile and expansive nature of the conflict in the region.

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