Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Yemen on Thursday, with seven strikes hitting Sanaa and three targeting Hodeidah. According to Al-Hadath, the strikes reportedly targeted Sanaa airport, the adjacent Al-Dailami base, Hodeidah port and key energy and oil facilities, notably the Hezyaz central power station, causing significant damage to the country’s infrastructure.
The strikes resulted in 5 deaths and 15 injuries according to Yemeni media sources.
Tel Aviv has informed Washington of its recent military actions against Houthi forces in Yemen, according to Israeli sources. The airstrikes are said to be distinct from previous attacks, as they specifically targeted critical infrastructure.
Israeli media reports noted that the strikes coincided with a speech by Houthi leader Abdel Malek al-Houthi, raising questions about the timing of the attacks. Meanwhile, Houthi-affiliated media confirmed that Israeli airstrikes targeted the tower of Sanaa International Airport, further escalating tensions in the region.
#Israel launched a series of airstrikes on #Yemen, with seven strikes hitting #Sanaa and three targeting #Hodeidah, causing significant damage to the country’s infrastructure.https://t.co/wL2P8P6Zto pic.twitter.com/t0tQKwLmfv
— This is Beirut (@ThisIsBeirut_) December 26, 2024
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that his country's strikes on Yemen's Houthi rebels would continue "until the job is done".
"We are determined to cut this branch of terrorism from the Iranian axis of evil. We will continue until the job is done," he said in a video statement released after Israel struck multiple sites in Yemen.
These recent developments mark a significant shift in the nature of Israeli involvement in the conflict.
In a statement, the military says Israeli Air Force fighter jets struck Houthi targets along Yemen’s western coast and deeper within the country.
The targets included “infrastructure used by the Houthi terror regime for its military activities” at Sanaa International Airport in the capital; the Hezyaz and Ras Kanatib power plants; and infrastructure at the Hodeida, Salif, and Ras Kanatib ports on the coast.
“These infrastructures were used by the Houthi terror regime to transfer Iranian weapons to the region and for the entry of senior Iranian officials,” the Israeli army said.
The airstrikes were approved by Israeli army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, Defense Minister Israel Katz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the military adds.
On Saturday, a Houthi missile attack left 16 people wounded in Tel Aviv.
Saturday's incident had prompted a warning from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said he had ordered the destruction of Houthi infrastructure.
The Houthis have fired a series of missiles and drones at Israel since the eruption of war in Gaza in October last year, claiming solidarity with the Palestinians.
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