Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, has publicly confirmed for the first time that the Israeli military was responsible for the assassination of Hamas’s political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran in July. Haniyeh, 62, was widely regarded as Hamas’s overall leader and a central figure in negotiations seeking a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
Speaking in a recent address, Katz vowed that Israel would continue its aggressive stance against Iran-backed groups, including the Houthi movement in Yemen. “Just as we did with Haniyeh, [Yahya] Sinwar, and [Hassan] Nasrallah in Tehran, Gaza, and Lebanon, we will do so in Hodeida and Sanaa,” Katz stated, referring to key assassinations of leaders from Hamas and Hezbollah.
Assassination of Haniyeh and its Aftermath
Haniyeh was killed in a targeted strike on a building in Tehran where he was staying, a move widely attributed to Israel but not confirmed until now. Following his death, Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader in Gaza, was named as his successor. However, Sinwar himself was killed in October during an encounter with Israeli forces, leaving Hamas without a clear leader at a critical time.
This latest revelation underscores Israel’s escalated campaign against Iran-aligned groups in the region, which it accuses of fomenting instability and posing direct threats to its security. The campaign has seen the elimination of senior figures like Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut and ongoing strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.
Gaza Conflict Escalation
The revelation comes amid ongoing military operations in Gaza, where Israel has sought to dismantle Hamas following its unprecedented attacks on October 7 last year. The attacks, which left approximately 1,200 Israelis dead and resulted in 251 hostages, triggered a massive Israeli offensive in Gaza.
According to Hamas-run health officials, the year-long Israeli campaign has resulted in over 45,000 deaths in Gaza, including 58 people killed in the past 24 hours. Among the latest casualties were 11 civilians in the al-Mawasi area, a designated “safe zone” by Israeli authorities, targeted in strikes that Israel claimed were aimed at a Hamas fighter.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces reported losing three soldiers during operations in the northern Gaza Strip on Monday.
Broader Regional Implications
Israel’s campaign has also extended to other fronts, with the Houthis in Yemen becoming a prominent focus. The Iran-backed rebel group has launched missiles and drones at Israeli and international targets, most recently striking a park in Tel Aviv with a hypersonic ballistic missile.
In retaliation, Israel has intensified strikes on Houthi military infrastructure, targeting ports and energy sites in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa. The US and UK have joined these operations to protect shipping routes in the Red Sea, vital for international trade.
The Houthi leadership has vowed to continue its attacks until Israel’s campaign in Gaza ends.
Ceasefire Talks Progress
Despite the ongoing violence, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated some progress in ceasefire negotiations with Hamas, though he refrained from offering a timeline for an agreement. A senior Palestinian official recently revealed that talks were “90% complete,” but significant hurdles remain.
These developments come against a backdrop of heightened tensions and devastating human tolls, as both sides continue to pursue their objectives. For Israel, the focus remains on neutralizing perceived threats, while Hamas and its allies seek to resist what they view as aggression against Palestinian territories.
As the conflict evolves, the region and international actors watch closely, hoping for resolutions that could stem the cycle of violence.
