Israel confirms assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh, warns Houthis

Israel confirmed Monday the assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and issued a stark warning to Yemen’s Houthi movement, threatening similar actions in response to recent missile and drone strikes.

Defense Minister Israel Katz disclosed the operation during an interview with Israel’s public broadcaster, following a ballistic missile attack on Tel Aviv two days earlier. The missile, which Israel’s air defense systems failed to intercept, injured 20 people and caused significant damage to residential buildings, according to Haaretz, an Israeli newspaper.

The Houthis, claiming solidarity with Gaza, have intensified their attacks, including strikes on Israeli cargo ships in the Red Sea. Earlier this week, the group also targeted two military installations in central and southern Israel using drones.

“In these days when the Houthi terrorist organization is firing missiles at Israel, I want to deliver a clear message: We will severely paralyze the Houthi terrorist organization in Yemen,” Katz said, emphasizing Israel’s readiness to target Houthi infrastructure and leadership.

The Houthis have framed their attacks as a response to what they describe as an Israeli “genocidal war” in Gaza, which has resulted in more than 45,300 deaths since the conflict began on Oct. 7, 2023. The International Criminal Court has since issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.