Israel Vows to Continue Strikes Against Houthis, Threatens Top Leaders
In a forceful statement, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Katz has confirmed that Israel will persist in its attacks against Yemen’s Houthi rebels and warned that top Houthis leaders could face the same fate as Hamas and Hezbollah chiefs recently killed in Israeli operations.
"Just like we decapitated Hamas’ Haniyeh, Sinwar, and Hezbollah’s Nasrallah in Gaza, Lebanon, and Tehran, we will do the same in Hodeida and Sanaa," Katz declared, according to a report by AFP on Tuesday, December 24, 2024.
Katz made these comments at a defense ministry event, marking the first public confirmation that Israel was behind the assassination of Hamas political chief Haniyeh in Tehran last July. While Israel has maintained silence on the matter, Iran and Hamas have accused Israel of the fatal bombing.
Haniyeh, who was considered a key figure in Hamas’ negotiation efforts for a ceasefire in Gaza, was killed at a Tehran residence on July 31, reportedly due to an explosive device planted by Israeli agents weeks earlier. He had attended the inauguration of Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, the previous day.
On September 27, Israel targeted and killed Hezbollah secretary-general Nasrallah in an airstrike in Beirut, followed by the assassination of incoming Hamas leader, Sinwar, in Gaza on October 16. Israeli officials have stated that Sinwar had directed a Hamas assault on Israel on October 7, 2023, which sparked the ongoing Gaza conflict.
Katz also warned that any entity opposing Israel would face serious consequences. "Those who fight Israel will have their hands cut off, and IDF will strike and hold them accountable," he added.
The minister’s strong stance reflects Israel’s commitment to countering regional threats, with a particular focus on the Houthis, who have been backed by Israel’s arch-nemesis, Iran. As the conflict in Yemen and the Middle East at large continues to escalate, Israel’s determination to assert its influence and combat perceived threats is becoming increasingly apparent.
