Amid ongoing conflict in Gaza and Lebanon, Israel launched airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen on Sunday, responding to missile attacks from the Iran-aligned militants over the past two days. The strikes resulted in the deaths of at least four people and injuries to 29, according to the Houthi-run Health Ministry. Residents reported widespread power outages in the port city of Hodeidah due to the bombings.
Houthi Attacks on Israel
The Houthis have been targeting Israel since the escalation of the Gaza conflict. In their most recent offensive, they claimed to have fired a ballistic missile towards Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv on Saturday, which Israeli defense forces intercepted. Another missile was intercepted on Friday.
Israeli Military Response
The Israeli military stated that dozens of aircraft, including fighter jets, targeted power plants and ports in Hodeidah and Ras Issa. This marked Israel’s second strike on Houthi positions in just over two months, following an attack in July when Israeli forces targeted Houthi military assets after a Yemeni drone strike on Tel Aviv.
Iranian Influence
Israel’s military accused the Houthis of operating under Iranian direction and funding, collaborating with Iraqi militias to threaten Israel and regional stability. The statement emphasized the Houthis’ role in disrupting global navigation.
Reactions to the Strikes
In response to the Israeli attacks, Houthi spokesperson Mohammed Abdulsalam stated that these actions would not deter the group from supporting Gaza and Lebanon. Iran condemned the strikes, asserting they targeted civilian infrastructure, and called for a united front against Israeli aggression within the “Axis of Resistance.” The Houthi movement also mourned the death of Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, an ally in the anti-Israel coalition, following an Israeli airstrike in Beirut.
