The present war between Israel and Palestine has further increased tensions in the Middle East, with several other countries joining hands with the countries involved – Yemen included. As complications between Israel and Yemen continue to increase, the former’s Defence Minister has not just confirmed the assassination of Hamas’ Ismail Haniyeh but also threatened similar action against Houthi rebel group of Yemen.
Israel’s defense minister has confirmed that the Israel assassinated Hamas’ top leader last summer and is threatening to take similar action against the leadership of the Houthi rebel group in Yemen. The comments by Israel Katz appeared to mark the first time that Israel has acknowledged killing Ismail Haniyeh, who died in an explosion in Iran in July. Israel was believed to be behind the blast and leaders have previously hinted at its involvement.
The 62-year-old Haniyeh was killed in an airstrike in July 2024 during a visit to one of Hamas’ most crucial allies, Iran, following attending the inauguration of its new president. Iran and Hamas both accused Israel, which has not commented on the strike. Ismail Haniyeh was the international face of Hamas, its top leader in exile who kept up the militant group’s ties with allies around the region. At the head of its political hierarchy, he had little military role but Israel marked him for death after the surprise October 7 attacks.
Katz said in a speech on Monday that the Houthis would meet a similar fate as the other members of an Iranian-led alliance in the region, including Haniyeh. He also noted that Israel has killed other leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah, helped topple Syria’s Bashar Assad and destroyed Iran’s anti-aircraft systems.
“We will strike (the Houthis’) strategic infrastructure and cut off the head of the leadership,” he said. “Just like we did to Haniyeh, Sinwar and Nasrallah in Tehran, Gaza and Lebanon, we will do in Hodeida and Sanaa,” he said, referring to Hamas and Hezbollah leaders killed in previous Israeli attacks. The Iranian-backed Houthis have launched scores of missiles and drones at Israel throughout the war, including a missile that landed in Tel Aviv on Saturday and wounded at least 16 people.
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