The Israeli military conducted a substantial air assault on Yemen on Thursday, targeting areas controlled by the Iranian-backed Houthi militia in response to recent missile attacks against Israel. This operation marks Israel's engagement with an adversary located over a thousand miles away.
The airstrikes followed a week of near-nightly ballistic missile and drone launches by the Houthis aimed at Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated Israel's intent to confront its regional adversaries, stating that the Houthis would learn similar lessons as other groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
Following the strikes, Netanyahu remarked in an interview that Israel's actions against the Houthis were just beginning. According to Yemen's Health Ministry, at least four people were killed and 21 others injured during the attacks, which targeted the international airport in Sana and the city of Al Hodeidah. The validity of this report has not been independently confirmed.
Since the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas, Israel has significantly diminished the group's presence in Gaza while also targeting other Iranian proxies in the region, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and sites in Syria. Analysts consider the Houthis to be a lesser threat compared to other militias but acknowledge Israel's increased focus on them as a significant Iranian proxy following a cease-fire with Hezbollah and a reduction in Hamas's capabilities.
On the same day, Gaza's health ministry reported that an Israeli airstrike near Kamal Adwan Hospital resulted in 50 fatalities, including hospital staff members. The director of the hospital indicated that casualties were still trapped under debris.
The Israeli military's strikes in Yemen targeted not only the airport in Sana but also power stations and military infrastructure in various ports along Yemen's western coast. The military characterized these targets as essential for Houthi military operations.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, reported that he and his team were present at the airport during the attack, which damaged critical airport facilities. A spokesperson for the Israeli military stated they were unaware of the WHO officials' presence at the airport during the strikes.
Netanyahu expressed Israel's commitment to dismantling the Houthi militia, while Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened to pursue Houthi leadership. Military officials emphasized Israel's capability to strike threats far from its borders.
In response to the Israeli strikes, a Houthi spokesman condemned the attacks as crimes against the Yemeni people and asserted that such actions would not deter Yemen from supporting Gaza. The Houthis have been involved in hostilities with Israel since October 2022, launching rockets and drones in solidarity with Hamas.
This latest air assault represents Israel's fourth military action in Yemen within the past year and follows previous strikes against Houthi infrastructure. The Houthis have since escalated their missile attacks against Israel, including a missile landing in a Tel Aviv playground, injuring residents.
Analysts suggest that the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Houthis could lead to a prolonged engagement. The situation in Yemen is projected to worsen by 2025, with Israel targeting critical infrastructure in a manner reminiscent of its strategies in Lebanon.
Despite previous strikes, the Houthis have continued their attacks, prompting some Israeli analysts to argue that a direct strike against Iran may be more effective than ongoing assaults on Yemen. The Houthis have also targeted cargo vessels in the Red Sea, disrupting international trade and prompting U.S. military responses against Houthi positions.
On Wednesday evening, the Israeli military reported that a drone launched from Yemen had entered Israeli airspace before falling in an uninhabited area.