The assault is a component of what Israel calls "Operation Black Flag." In a harsh threat, Katz said the Houthis "will bear the consequences of their actions and will continue to pay a heavy price" and added that anyone who tries to harm Israel will be dealt "a tough blow."
After the airstrikes, it was reported that two missiles were launched from Yemen toward Israel. Sirens sounded in parts of Israel, and though interceptors were fired, they remain under military evaluation.
Houthis Respond with Surface-to-Air Missiles
The Houthi military spokesman says their forces intercepted the Israeli aggression with a large number of domestically-manufactured surface-to-air missiles. The airstrikes hit vital infrastructure, including the Ras Kanatib power station, which serves the cities of Ibb and Taizz.
Houthi-run media said that there was a strike on Hudaydah but did not provide a breakdown of the damage or any casualties. The Israeli Air Force said the ports were being used to ferry Iranian weapons for use in attacks on Israel and with its allies.
The airstrike in Hudaydah is the latest in the region that follows Israeli naval operations against the area in May and June. Hudaydah is especially important because it is the conduit for the vast bulk of food and humanitarian aid for millions of Yemenis.
Continued Escalation Amid Wider Conflict
Since the Israel-Hamas war began, Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, have fired several missiles at Israel and at commercial vessels off the coast in the Red Sea as a gesture of support for Palestinians in Gaza.
The latest Israeli attacks suggest that we have entered a new stage of confrontation outside Gaza, with the Israeli government having announced that it will strike wherever threats are posed. Though Israel says the Houthis are advancing Iranian interests and using Yemeni ports to smuggle weapons, this latest front expands and complicates the concerns over regional dynamics.
