Israel Strikes Houthis as Leadership Warns Attacks Will Increase

Israel has executed a series of airstrikes on Houthi targets following the latter’s recent attacks on Israel’s Ben Gurion airport. 

The missile attacks on Ben Gurion occurred amid daily US strikes against the Houthis as part of President Donald Trump’s "maximum pressure campaign” against them. 

Israel’s Air Forces (IAF) reportedly hit Houthi locations along Yemen’s coast, including the Hudaydah Port and the Bajil concrete-producing plant. 

“The terrorist infrastructure sites struck in the Hudaydah Port serve as a central supply source for the Houthis, and is used for the transfer of Iranian weapons,” said the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF).

The IDF continued, explaining that “the "Bajil" Concrete Plant, east of the city of al-Hudaydah, was also struck, which functions as a significant economic resource and is used for the construction of underground tunnels and terrorist infrastructure for the Houthis.”

The Houthis, an Iran-backed Yemeni terror group, have been targeting US, Israeli, and allies’ ships since Hamas’ October 7th, 2023 attacks. 

Houthi forces have orchestrated drone and missile attacks against US military and commercial ships and increasingly directly attacked Israel’s civilian population.

Houthi officials reportedly claimed attacks on Israel’s civilian airports will continue in order to exclude Israel from international air travel.

Meanwhile, Israel is preparing to expand its operations against Hamas in Gaza after the Israeli government approved plans to seize control of Gaza and more tightly monitor the use of humanitarian aid. 

According to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel plans to seize control of Gaza from Hamas to eradicate the latter and rescue the remaining hostages. 

Hamas allegedly still holds 59 hostages, of which 24 are thought to remain alive. 

Israel has not stated for how long it will keep control of Gaza nor is it clear how much time it will take the IDF to assume complete control over the area.