Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen on Monday, following a ballistic missile attack that struck near Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport on Sunday, injuring four civilians.
The missile, reportedly fired by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels, marks a significant escalation in the ongoing regional conflict. It managed to evade Israel’s defense systems due to what military officials described as a “technical malfunction.”
Israeli Retaliation
In response, approximately 20 Israeli fighter jets carried out coordinated airstrikes on key Houthi targets, including:
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The port city of Hodeidah
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A cement factory in Bajil, which Israeli intelligence claims was used for tunnel construction and weapons transfers
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated that these facilities were directly linked to Iran’s military support for the Houthis.
Although the operation was conducted in coordination with the United States, no American personnel participated in the actual strikes.
This marks the sixth known Israeli airstrike on Houthi positions in Yemen since mid-2024.
Broader Regional Tensions
The Houthis have increasingly targeted Israeli territory and disrupted international shipping routes in the Red Sea, particularly since renewed fighting erupted in Gaza. While most of their attacks have been intercepted, the recent missile breach near Tel Aviv has raised serious concerns about Israel’s air defense reliability.
Political Fallout
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed Iran for orchestrating the attack via its regional proxies and warned of further retaliatory measures.
Meanwhile, the Houthi leadership issued a statement vowing to continue operations unless Israel ceases its military campaign in Gaza.
Growing Fears of Wider Conflict
With violence spreading beyond the Israel-Gaza border and into Yemen, concerns are mounting over the potential for a broader Middle East conflict, involving multiple state and non-state actors.
