In a series of powerful airstrikes early Thursday, the Israeli military targeted Yemen’s capital, controlled by the Houthis, as well as a key port city, in a pre-planned mission that coincided with a Houthi missile fired toward central Israel.

The ballistic missile, intercepted by Israel’s long-range Arrow air defense system, caused no injuries. However, falling debris caused significant destruction in Ramat Gan, damaging a school building and several cars. This was the second missile attack from Yemen within a week, along with an earlier drone assault.

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the operation involved numerous Israeli Air Force (IAF) assets, including fighter jets, refuelers, and reconnaissance planes, all deployed to strike Houthi “military targets” at the port of Hodeidah and, for the first time, in Sana’a, Yemen’s rebel-held capital.

The strikes, which targeted tugboats in the port and energy facilities in the capital, had been in preparation for weeks, military officials said. The operation was already underway when the Houthis fired their missile at Israel, setting off air-raid sirens across central communities and sending millions into shelters.

Shrapnel from the intercepted missile damaged multiple vehicles and caused the collapse of a school building in Ramat Gan, a suburb of Tel Aviv. The military is currently investigating the incident, noting that past cases of partial interceptions have resulted in intact warheads causing substantial damage.

While the Houthis did not immediately take credit for the missile launch, they announced plans for a significant military statement in the coming hours, consistent with their usual pattern of claiming responsibility post-strike.

Military sources stated the airstrikes aimed to disable all three Houthi-controlled ports along Yemen’s coastline. Tugboats vital for port operations were among the primary targets, following previous strikes on unloading cranes at Hodeidah port. Officials believe this latest operation has completely disrupted port activities under Houthi control.

Shortly after the missile launch, the Houthi-aligned Al-Masirah television network reported strikes in Sana’a and Hodeidah province, including hits on power plants and the Ras Isa oil terminal. They claimed the strikes resulted in nine fatalities, though this figure remains unverified. Social media videos appeared to show fires consuming buildings in the aftermath of the attacks.

The overnight bombings marked Israel’s first strikes on Sana’a and its third round of attacks on Yemen in response to Houthi aggression. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, IDF spokesman, confirmed the targets included “ports and energy infrastructure,” accusing the Houthis of using these facilities for “their military actions.”

“With their attacks on international shipping vessels and routes in the Red Sea and other places, the Houthis have become a global threat. Who is behind the Houthis? Iran,” Hagari said in an English-language statement. He pledged that Israel would “act against anyone in the Middle East” posing a threat.

The airstrikes were carried out in two waves. The first wave began at 3:15 a.m., hitting the ports of Hodeidah, Ras Isa, and Salif, including eight tugboats. The second wave, at 4:30 a.m., struck power facilities in Sana’a. In total, the IDF dropped dozens of munitions on five strategic targets.

Before the strike, Israel informed the United States, according to Kan public broadcaster. The port of Hodeidah, crucial for food imports during Yemen’s prolonged civil war, has also been accused of serving as a conduit for Iranian weapons, an allegation reiterated in IDF statements.

“Attacking these targets harms the terrorist authorities by preventing the exploitation of infrastructure for military and terror purposes, including transferring Iranian weaponry to the region,” the IDF said.

The military further accused the Houthis of collaborating with Iranian-backed militias over the past year to destabilize the region, disrupt shipping, and target Israel. “The IDF is determined to continue acting and striking whoever threatens citizens of the State of Israel, at any distance required,” it stated.

The Houthis have fired more than 200 missiles and 170 drones at Israel over the past year. Most were intercepted or failed to reach their targets, according to the IDF.

In a stern warning, Defense Minister Israel Katz addressed Houthi leaders, saying, “The long arm of Israel will reach you. Whoever lifts a hand will have it severed. Whoever strikes [us], will be struck many times over.”

The United States has also conducted strikes on Houthi targets over the past year in response to attacks on Red Sea shipping. On Monday, U.S. Central Command confirmed it had targeted a key Houthi command center in Sana’a, identified as the former defense ministry complex.

The Houthis have launched roughly 100 attacks on merchant ships since October 2023, when Hamas initiated its assault on Israel. Despite their claims of targeting vessels tied to Israel or its allies, many of the ships hit have no clear connection to the conflict, including some bound for Iran.

The Houthis have engaged in a prolonged conflict with a Saudi-led coalition, resulting in over 150,000 deaths, including tens of thousands of civilians. The war has caused one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, leaving millions on the brink of starvation.

{Matzav.com Israel}