The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has strongly condemned threats by Israeli minister for military affairs Israel Katz to assassinate political bureau chief Khalil al-Hayya, describing them as an act of "organized state terrorism" and evidence of the Israeli regime’s disregard for international law.
In a statement released on Sunday, Hamas said the threats reflect the conduct of a "rogue” entity that acts outside the framework of international law.
The resistance movement also described the remarks as an indication of the political bankruptcy of the Israeli regime and its far-right extremist members.
Hamas stressed that such threats would not change its political position or its stated commitment to the Palestinian national struggle.
It further said the threats would instead strengthen the resolve of the movement and its leaders to maintain their positions and continue pursuing the restoration of Palestinian national rights, foremost among them ending the Israeli occupation.
The movement also called on mediators to adopt a firm and decisive stance against the threats and publicly condemn them. It urged international and regional parties involved in the mediation process to take concrete steps to prevent further escalation and ensure that commitments under the ceasefire agreement are respected.
Reaffirming its commitment to the ceasefire agreement and the roadmap sponsored by US President Donald Trump, Hamas called for increased pressure on the Israeli regime to fulfill its obligations. These include halting military aggression and lifting the blockade on the Palestinian people.
The statement concluded by reiterating Hamas’s position that threats against its leadership would not alter its declared approach, while urging mediators to ensure the implementation of the ceasefire arrangements and address the humanitarian and political conditions facing Palestinians.
The threat aligns with Israel's ongoing strategy of targeting top Hamas leadership, following the assassinations of Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar.
The warning comes amid Israel's offensive targeting Hamas leadership both within the Gaza Strip and abroad following October 7.
Former Hamas leader Haniyeh was killed during a visit to Tehran in July 2024, while his successor, Yahya Sinwar, was killed by Israeli forces in the besieged Gaza Strip in October 2024.
On September 9, 2025, al-Hayya and other Hamas leaders were targeted by an Israeli airstrike on a compound in Qatar.
Al-Hayya survived the attack, but his son Hammam and Hamas aide Jihad Labad were among those reported killed.
The threats came a year after Israel and the Palestinians resistance movement Hamas agreed to a US-backed ceasefire plan aimed at halting Israel’s attacks on Gaza and paving the way for a broader settlement.
Under the agreement, Israel was obligated to withdraw its forces to around half of Gaza, halt aerial and artillery attacks, release Palestinian prisoners and abductees, and allow humanitarian aid into the besieged territory.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza has killed at least 74,370 Palestinians and wounded 175,371 others, according to the Gaza Health Ministry’s figures reported on October 10.
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