Defence Minister Israel Katz on Monday confirmed Israel’s role in killing Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran in July.
This is the first time Israel confessed to assassinating the Hamas leader.
The confession may further trigger tension in the Middle East.
“In these days, when the Houthi terror organisation 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 defence systems in Iran, and damaged the [missile] production systems,” Katz was quoted as saying by The Times of Israel.
“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 organisation in Yemen, which remains the last one standing,” he said.
“We will strike [the Houthis’] strategic infrastructure and decapitate its leaders. Just as we did to Haniyeh, Sinwar, and Nasrallah, in Tehran, Gaza and Lebanon — we will do in Hodeidah and Sanaa,” Katz said, as he referred to the slain leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah.
Sending out a strong message, the Israeli Defence Minister said, “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.”
Haniyeh was the face of Hamas group’s international diplomacy.
The Middle East has been witnessing spiralling tension over the ongoing conflict between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah.
