Israel Air Force (IAF) fighter jets struck Houthi targets in the capital of Sana'a in Yemen during the early hours of Thursday morning, with 14 aircraft already in the air as Yemen fired yet another ballistic missile towards Israel.
The IDF added that many of the targets Israel struck with 60 bombs were used by the Houthis for military purposes, which included smuggling Iranian weapons into the country. The IDF also confirmed that ports and energy infrastructure in Sana'a were hit during the strikes.
A source close to the matter told The Jerusalem Post that Israel gave the US notice prior to the strike in Yemen and that the purpose of the strike was to disable all three Houthi ports in Yemen.
The IDF cited that the US has also attacked Yemen recently, but that given ongoing attacks from the Houthis, “We decided to [do our own] counter-attack.”
According to the IDF, the Houthis have fired over 200 ballistic missiles and over 170 drones at Israel, with most being shot down by the US or Israel but 22 having penetrated into Israel.
דיווח: ישראל תוקפת בתימן | תיעוד@ItayBlumental pic.twitter.com/Ae1dfm0Dg0
— כאן חדשות (@kann_news) December 19, 2024
In July, one Israeli was killed in Tel Aviv by a Houthi drone from Yemen.
The IDF decided to attack before the Wednesday overnight attack, and in fact, the 14 aircraft that attacked Yemen were already on their way for the 1,800-kilometer flight to Yemen at the time that the ballistic missile came close to Israel’s territory.
The aircraft appear to have left Israel around 1:00 a.m.
The IDF was unclear on whether the Houthis detected the attack but said there was no clear evidence that this had occurred.
At 3:15 a.m., the first wave of the air force’s attack hit the Yemen coastal area.
At 4:30 a.m., the second wave of the air force’s attack hit the Houthi capital of Sana.
All 14 aircraft returned safely.
The IDF said it had attacked dozens of targets in five main areas.
There were attacks in Hodeidah, Ras Isa, other coastal areas, and many smaller ports, such as Al-Salif. Each target area had dozens of targets, especially Sana'a, regarding Houthi electricity and oil.
In addition, eight special large tugboat ships were attacked.
Destroying those ships could shut down those ports because these ships can block certain areas and also are often required to pull in other ships to port.
The IDF said that it could take time for the Houthis to find replacements for such unique ships.
Further, the IDF said all the areas attacked helped the Houthis fund their war items and weapons.
The strikes on the terror group were carried out with the direction of the Intelligence Directorate and the Israeli Navy, the IDF said.
Notably, it added that the airstrikes began shortly after the Houthis fired a ballistic missile from Yemen toward central Israel around 2:30 a.m. during the early hours of Thursday morning. The projectile was then intercepted by the IAF.
Some shrapnel fell in Ramat Efal and Modiin, though no one was harmed since it was the middle of the night.
However, in Ramat Efal, a school building was destroyed by the shrapnel with reports estimating the cost to repair it at NIS 11 million.
The airstrikes in Yemen reportedly killed nine, Houthi-controlled Al Masirah TV said.
Seven were killed in a strike on the port of Salif and the rest in two strikes on the Ras Issa oil facility, said Al Masirah, both located in the western province of Hodeidah.
The strikes also targeted two central power stations south and north of the capital, Sana'a, it added.
Katz threatens whoever plans on harming Israel
Whoever harms Israel will pay a heavy price, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, addressing Israel's strikes on Houthi targets.
"We did this in response to the Houthis' recurring attacks on civilian targets in Israel," he noted, adding that the Houthis had "struck last night a school in Ramat Gan."
Further, he said, "They do not attack only us; they attack the entire world. They are attacking international shipping and trade routes, so when Israel acts against the Houthis, it is acting on behalf of the entire international community. The Americans understand this aspect, as do many others."
"After Hamas, Hezbollah, Assad's regime in Syria, the Houthis are almost the last branch that is left for Iran's Axis of Evil," said Netanyahu.
"They learn and will learn the hard way that whoever harms Israel pays for it a heavy price."
תקפנו הלילה את החות'ים בתימן.אני מזהיר את ראשי ארגון הטרור החות׳י: ידה הארוכה של ישראל תגיע גם אליכם. מי שמרים יד על מדינת ישראל - ידו נגדעת, מי שפוגע - ייפגע שבעתיים.אנחנו נכה בעוצמה ולא נאפשר ירי ואיומים על מדינת ישראל. pic.twitter.com/1qmLJgQmkv
— ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) December 19, 2024
Defense Minister Israel Katz reiterated his commitment to operating against all threats posed to the citizens of Israel.
"Last night, we struck the Houthis in Yemen," the defense minister said.
"I warn the leaders of the Houthi terrorist organization: Israel's long arm will reach you as well. Those who raise a hand against the State of Israel will have their hand severed, and those who harm us will be struck sevenfold."
He added, "We will strike with force and will not allow attacks or threats against the State of Israel."
Reuters contributed to this report.