It reflects Israel’s intensifying military presence and attacks in Yemen. This follows what appears to have been a significant Houthi strike on its capital’s international airport. The assault targeted the airport in Tel Aviv and represented a dramatic escalation in the still-unfolding conflict. In retaliation, Israel conducted retaliatory strikes on Houthi positions.
The assault on Tel Aviv’s airfield proved to be a turning point, with the Houthis asserting obligation for the confrontation’s first missile strikes. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened the security cabinet almost immediately. They convened both to respond to the sinking and to plot their subsequent military campaign. In response, Netanyahu pledged an unprecedented retaliation, declaring that Israel would respond at a time and place of its own choosing.
“We acted before, we will act in the future too,” Netanyahu emphasized during a press briefing. On the other hand, his administration has been unequivocal that they will not stand for attacks within Israeli territory. Netanyahu even named the support from Iran, describing them as the Houthi’s “patron.”
Israel justifies these attacks on Yemen’s Houthis by stating they have been attacking Israeli shipping in the Red Sea. The Israeli Air Force struck multiple locations with an F-15 fighter jet. These maritime ports and a cement production facility in Bajil are both considered civilian infrastructure. The Houthi-run Ministry of Health announced numbers of those killed in the airstrikes. They reported that one more person had died and that 35 people were still injured.
Over the last year, the increase in hostilities, particularly aerial attacks, have drawn international condemnation. Shockingly, this is not the first time that the United States military has actively targeted Houthi forces in Yemen. They did massive airstrikes to degrade the Houthis’ ability to fight. The U.S. and Israel are perpetrating this harmful act in a coordinated effort. This shows just how important both countries now view countering the Houthi threat.
Just this month, a U.S. F/A-18 fighter jet plunged off of an aircraft carrier in the Red Sea. It was trying to flee an incoming Houthi missile strike, further complicating matters. This attack underscores the ongoing threats to U.S. troops deployed to the region’s very dangerous hotspot.
It’s understandable why tensions are rising so quickly. The Houthis have promised to expand their airstrikes against Israel and are clearly intent on continuing to hit airports. They have no intent, of course, to stop or even moderate their military campaign against Israel. This proposal would make the already fragile state of affairs even more difficult.
Netanyahu’s government has made it clear that they intend to continue to apply military pressure on the Houthis. “We will not tolerate it. We will take very strong action against them,” he stated, reinforcing Israel’s resolve to confront any threats to its national security.
