JERUSALEM – In response to numerous attacks on Israel in recent months, the Israeli Air Force carried out airstrikes against facilities belonging to the Houthi movement in Yemen on Saturday. The strikes targeted the al-Hudaydah Port, a strategic location used for military purposes and receiving weapons from Iran, according to Israeli officials.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is scheduled to address the U.S. Congress next week, hailed the operation and warned Israel’s enemies that any aggression against Israel would be met with severe consequences. He emphasized that Israel’s reach extends far beyond its borders, a point underscored by the distance between Israel and the targeted port.
The strikes followed a Houthi drone attack in Tel Aviv on Friday that killed an Israeli and injured several others. The attack damaged buildings near the U.S. Consulate, raising concerns about the effectiveness of Israel’s aerial defense systems.
Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant asserted that the strikes in Yemen demonstrate Israel’s resolve to protect its citizens and retaliate against any attacks. He stated that the Houthis had attacked Israel over 200 times, and this marked the first instance of an Israeli citizen being killed, prompting a decisive response.
A Houthi spokesperson claimed that the Israeli airstrikes targeted civilian infrastructure, including oil tanks and a power station in al-Hudaydah. Houthi-linked media reported casualties, while a Houthi official threatened retaliation against Israel.
The U.S. National Security Council confirmed that the U.S. was not involved in the strikes and reiterated its support for Israel’s right to self-defense.
The Israeli military attributed the failure to intercept the Houthi drone attack in Tel Aviv to human error, and launched an investigation into the incident. Israel maintains that Iran is responsible for supporting the Houthis and other proxy groups engaged in attacks against Israel.