Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has publicly claimed responsibility for the July killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran, making the first official acknowledgement of the operation, Israeli media reported.

Haniyeh, 62, who headed Hamas' political bureau from Qatar, was killed during one of his visits to Iran in July for the inauguration of President Masoud Pezeshkian.

"We will severely cripple the Houthis, damage their strategic infrastructure, and behead their leaders - just as we did to Haniyeh, Sinwar, and Nasrallah in Tehran, Gaza, and Lebanon - we will do it in Hodeidah and Sanaa," Katz declared in comments confirming Israeli involvement in the previously reported death.

The timing of Israel's admission comes as it expands operations against various regional militant groups following a recent Houthi strike on Tel Aviv, which injured several people, including a child.

As Hamas' top political figure, Haniyeh had been central to the group's outreach to regional governments and its alliance with Tehran.

Arab diplomats viewed him as a pragmatic figure compared to other Hamas leaders, who focused on political engagement rather than military operations.

The delayed acknowledgement of responsibility for Haniyeh's death marks a significant shift in Israel's typically ambiguous approach to such operations.

One Hamas official told the BBC following Haniyeh’s murder: “Hamas is an idea; Hamas is an ideology. And the killing of the leader will not change Hamas and will not make Hamas surrender or make any more concessions."

Khaled Meshaal is now the acting leader of Hamas and is under full protection from Turkey following the group’s departure from Qatar at the request of the incoming Trump administration.