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Israel Attacks Houthi Targets in Yemen; Netanyahu Vows to 'Hunt Down All Leaders'

Dec 26, 2024, 03:25 PM

On December 26, 2024, Israel conducted widespread airstrikes on Houthi targets across Yemen, marking a significant escalation in tensions. The Israeli military confirmed that its fighter jets, reportedly involving around 100 aircraft, attacked military infrastructure utilized by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels. Targets included the Sanaa International Airport—struck as the Director-General of the World Health Organization was about to board a flight—power stations at Hezyaz, Khaziz, and Ras Kanatib, and ports along Yemen's western coast such as Hodeidah, Al-Salif, and Ras Kanatib. The strikes coincided with a speech by Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi. The operations were approved by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and the Chief of the General Staff. Netanyahu stated, "We will persist in cutting off the terrorist arm of the Iranian axis of evil until we complete the job." Katz added, "We will hunt down all the leaders of the Houthis—no one will be able to evade Israel's long arm." The Israeli Defense Forces raised their state of alert in anticipation of potential retaliatory actions by the Houthis. The strikes were in response to repeated ballistic missile and drone attacks by the Houthis against Israel in recent weeks, causing significant damage to infrastructure, including the control tower and runway at Sanaa Airport.