Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has confirmed, for the first time, that Israel assassinated Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz admitted on Monday for the first time publicly to Israel's killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran in July, further risking tensions between Tehran and its arch-enemy Israel in a region shaken by Israel's war in Gaza and the conflict in Lebanon.

According to Iranian state media, an “airborne guided projectile” struck a residence for military veterans where Haniyeh and his bodyguard were staying, killing both. Iranian and Palestinian officials immediately accused Israel of carrying out the attack, though Israeli authorities had not previously confirmed their involvement.

Israel’s Minister of Defence Israel Katz has for the first time publicly acknowledged that his country assassinated Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh, warning that the Yemen-based Houthis will also be struck a “severe blow”.

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.

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.

In a first, Israel's defense minister Israel Katz confirmed that Israel had assassinated Hamas' top leader Ismail Haniyeh last summer and is threatening to take similar action against the leadership of the Houthi rebel group in Yemen.

Israel’s defense minister has confirmed that Israel assassinated Hamas’ top leader last summer and is planning to take similar action against the leadership of the Houthi rebel group in Yemen.

Israel Katz, Israel’s Foreign Minister, has officially acknowledged for the first time in five months that Israel was responsible for killing Ismail Haniyeh, the former leader of Hamas, in Tehran. According to France 24, Katz made these remarks on Monday, December 23.

Hassan Nasrallah meanwhile was the leader of the Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah - he was assassinated in Beirut in September as Israel dramatically escalated its military campaign against Hezbollah, with which it had been trading near daily cross-border fire since the day after the 7 October attacks.