Israel assassinated Hamas' top leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran last summer, Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed. The comments by Katz appeared to mark the first time that Israel has acknowledged killing Haniyeh, who died in an explosion in Tehran in July.

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

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.

The Israeli official threatened to take similar action against the leadership of the Houthi rebel group in Yemen.

In a recent speech, Israel, for the first time has confirmed killing of Hamas' Haniyeh and has threatened similar action against Houthi rebel group of Yemen.

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.

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 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.

Israel admits it killed Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Iran - Israel threatens to decapitate Houthi leadership in Yemen

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.

Defence chief Israel Katz publicly admitted to killing Ismail Haniyeh in Iran in July, further risks tensions between Iran and Israel.