Israel Strikes Yemen After Deadly Houthi Drone Attack: What We Know

For the first time, Israel has launched an attack inside Yemen following a deadly drone strike by Houthi rebels on Tel Aviv.

Since the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, the Houthis have targeted shipping in the Red Sea in what they describe as support for Gaza. These direct attacks between the Israeli military and the Iranian-backed rebels risk opening a new front in an already volatile conflict.

Shortly after Israel’s strike, the Houthis claimed to have launched a fresh barrage of missiles towards Israel, promising a “huge and great” response.

 

Who are the Houthis and what is their role in the Gaza conflict?

The Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah (Supporters of God), are an Iran-backed Islamist group based in Yemen. They have been a key player in Yemen’s civil war for nearly a decade. The group emerged in the 1990s under Hussein al-Houthi, advocating for a revival of the Zaidism subsect of Shia Islam.

Since a ceasefire, the Houthis have consolidated control over much of northern Yemen and are seeking a lasting peace agreement with Saudi Arabia. The Houthis, reportedly armed and trained by Iran, have targeted Red Sea shipping in retaliation for Israel’s military actions in Gaza since Hamas’s October 7 attacks.

The US and UK have responded to these attacks with strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, although Israel had not been involved until now. The Israeli military claims the Houthis have targeted Israeli civilians and infrastructure about 200 times, most of which were intercepted by US Central Command or Israel’s air defenses.

 

What happened in Tel Aviv?

The situation escalated on Friday when a drone attack on Tel Aviv killed one Israeli and injured several others. The Houthis claimed responsibility, with spokesman Yahya Sare’e stating the attack was carried out by a new drone capable of bypassing enemy defenses.

Sare’e declared that the attacks would continue in response to Israel’s actions in Gaza. This was the first time Tel Aviv, Israel’s commercial center, was hit by a Houthi-claimed drone strike. Israeli authorities are investigating potential security lapses related to the incident.

Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Daniel Hagari indicated that the drone was likely an Iranian-made Samad-3 model, upgraded for extended range. A second drone was intercepted outside Israeli airspace.

 

How did Israel respond?

Israel responded by striking the Yemeni port of Hodeidah, marking its first attack in Yemen. The strike killed at least six people and injured many more. Yemeni officials reported that the Houthi-run Al Masirah TV indicated the attack targeted oil facilities.

Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam condemned the strikes, accusing Israel of targeting civilians and infrastructure to pressure the Houthis to cease their support for Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu justified the strike, claiming the port was used by Iran to supply weapons to the Houthis.

Netanyahu emphasized that the operation demonstrated Israel’s willingness to respond to threats, regardless of distance.

 

How significant is this escalation?

Both sides appear unwilling to de-escalate. Houthi spokesperson Yehya Saree stated that the group is prepared for a prolonged conflict with Israel, while Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned of severe retaliation for attacks on Israeli citizens.

The conflict in Gaza has already heightened tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, with daily cross-border exchanges. While the Houthis present a new challenge, Hezbollah remains a more significant threat due to its proximity and extensive arsenal.

Yoel Guzansky of the Tel Aviv-based Institute for National Security Studies suggested that Israel’s measured response aims to signal to the US and the international community that continued aggression will not go unanswered. He emphasized the importance of demonstrating consequences for attacks.

As both the Houthis and Hezbollah are backed by Iran, any increase in hostilities with these proxies raises the risk of broader regional instability and potential direct conflict between Israel and Iran. The international community is keen to avoid such an escalation.