Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz publicly acknowledged on Monday that Israel was responsible for the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in July. This revelation has heightened tensions with Iran amidst ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon.

Speaking at an event honouring Defence Ministry personnel, Katz addressed Israel’s broader operations against its adversaries. "We have defeated Hamas, Hezbollah, and blinded Iran's defence systems. We dismantled Assad's regime in Syria, dealt blows to the axis of evil, and we will strike the Houthi organisation in Yemen just as we did with Haniyeh, Sinwar, and Nasrallah," he declared. Katz also warned of targeting strategic infrastructure and leadership of the Houthi group, which has intensified attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, claiming solidarity with Palestinians.

The assassination of Haniyeh, who was killed in Tehran in July, had previously been attributed to Israel by Iranian authorities, though no official claim had been made at the time. Haniyeh, based primarily in Qatar, played a significant role in Hamas’ international diplomacy and had participated in indirect ceasefire negotiations for Gaza.

Katz’s remarks also highlighted Israel's broader regional strategy. He affirmed that Hamas' political and military leadership had been severely impacted, citing the death of Yahya Sinwar, Haniyeh’s successor, in an Israeli operation in Gaza following the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel.

The disclosure of Israel's involvement in Haniyeh's killing further complicates an already volatile situation in the region, as conflicts involving Israel, Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran-backed groups in Yemen continue to unfold.