Israel has escalated its military actions against Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels, threatening to target their leadership following airstrikes on two rebel-controlled ports. This response comes in the wake of increasing missile attacks launched by the Houthis on Israel, despite an earlier agreement to halt such activities against international shipping in the Red Sea.
The Houthis had committed to cease attacks after the U.S. intensified airstrikes on Houthi-held territories with support from the UK. However, they have reportedly continued to target Israel, firing three missiles this week alone, leading to air raid warnings in major Israeli cities.
On Friday, the Israeli military struck the Red Sea port city of Hodeida, a critical entry point for humanitarian aid, as well as the northern port of Salif. Local reports from Hodeida confirmed multiple loud explosions, with the Houthi-run health ministry stating that the strikes resulted in at least one fatality and nine injuries.
Israeli military reports indicated that 15 fighter jets had dropped over 30 munitions in these operations, claiming the ports were being used for the transfer of weapons. The military emphasized that prior warnings had been issued for civilians to evacuate the targeted areas.
In a reaction to the strikes, Houthi officials threatened a “painful response,” signaling a potential escalation in regional hostilities. They have been involved in the Yemeni civil conflict for over a decade, intensifying their operations against Israel since November 2023, following the onset of the Israel-Hamas war.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stark warning to Houthi leadership, stating, “We are not willing to sit on the sidelines and let the Houthis attack us.” He reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to striking back, aiming specifically at the Houthi leadership and infrastructure facilitating these attacks.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz added that continued missile strikes from the Houthis would lead to them facing consequences similar to those meted out to Hamas leaders. He specified that the Israeli response would entail hunting down Houthi leadership figures, including their chief, Abd al-Malek al-Houthi.
Tensions have been heightened further by a recent missile attack that successfully penetrated Israeli air defenses, striking near Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport. In retaliation, Israel targeted the airport and nearby infrastructure in the Houthi-controlled capital of Sanaa.
The conflict’s implications extend to humanitarian efforts in Yemen, which have been adversely affected by the clashes. The United Nations has announced it is scaling back its humanitarian aid plans due to a sharp decline in funding. With the UN appealing for $2.4 billion to assist 10.5 million people this year, it now seeks to focus aid on the most vulnerable, estimating that only 8.8 million of those in need will receive assistance due to budget cuts. This shift comes as global contributions to humanitarian causes face significant reductions, notably from the United States.
