Israeli Defense Minister Confirms Assassination of Hamas Leader

Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, has confirmed that the Israeli military assassinated Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh last summer in an explosion in Iran. Katz also threatened similar actions against Yemen's Houthi leadership. This marks Israel's first acknowledgment of Haniyeh's death. Concurrently, the UN reported significant issues in aid delivery to Gaza, with 23 aid trucks plundered and others delayed by Israeli airstrikes. The U.S. Pentagon confirmed more than 2,500 troops in Iraq, a higher count than previously disclosed. In Syria, new authorities are cooperating with the UN on war crimes investigations following Assad's fall, and U.S. forces targeted IS militants in airstrikes. Israel's Prime Minister, Netanyahu, mentioned progress in ceasefire and hostage negotiations with Hamas, while UN peacekeepers in Lebanon observed detrimental Israeli actions in southern residential areas. Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati visited southern military positions amidst ongoing tensions and ceasefire agreements following conflict with Hezbollah.