Israel strikes Houthi Yemen following several recent ballistic missile and drone attacks
IAF strike was already in the air when Houthi ballistic missile attack was launched
Early Thursday morning, shortly after another ballistic missile launched by Houthi rebels in Yemen was intercepted, Israeli Air Force (IAF) fighter jets struck several sites in Houthi territory, including the capital city of Sana’a.
Despite the close sequence of events, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) later clarified that the Israeli strikes had been planned for several days and that the timing was based on intelligence considerations. It said the Air Force strike groups were already airborne when the ballistic missile was launched at approximately 2:35 a.m.
The Houthi ballistic missile was intercepted outside of the atmosphere by the Arrow missile defense system, the military said. While there were no reports of casualties, a school building in Ramat Gan later collapsed after being hit by debris from either the Houthi missile or the Arrow interceptor.
Defense Minister Israel Katz released a video statement this morning, warning the Houthi rebel leaders against escalating the conflict with Israel.
“I warn the leaders of the Houthi terrorist organization: Israel's long hand will reach you as well. Whoever raises a hand against the State of Israel – his hand will be cut off, whoever harms – will be harmed sevenfold,” Katz said in the video statement. “We will strike with force and will not allow shooting and threats against the State of Israel.”
The IDF said that the strikes, which were carried out with the approval of Defense Minister Israel Katz, targeted two main areas: one along the western coast in the port city of Hodeida, where the IAF has previously struck, and the second in the Houthi capital city of Sana’a.
⭕️ IAF fighter jets struck military targets belonging to the Houthi terrorist regime on the western coast and in inland Yemen.
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) December 19, 2024
Over the past year, the Houthi terrorist regime has been operating with the direction and funding of Iran, and in cooperation with Iraqi militias in… pic.twitter.com/hYNRstbhxP
The strike group consisted of fourteen IAF fighter jets, refuelers, and spy planes, which struck in two waves.
The first wave of strikes hit the port city of Hodeidah at around 3:15 a.m., hitting the Hodeidah, Ras Isa and Salif ports, destroying several tugboats as well as port infrastructure.
The second wave of strikes focused on the capital city of Sana’a, destroying at least two power plants in the city.
#BREAKING: Extensive airstrikes underway across Yemen by unknown fighter aircraft. Heavy strikes on the Yemeni capital Sana’a, fires seen burning at energy facilities pic.twitter.com/lC2wFec54r
— ELINT News (@ELINTNews) December 19, 2024
According to public broadcaster Kan, Israel gave advance notification of the strikes to the United States.
Houthi-controlled Al Masirah TV claimed that nine people were killed in the Israeli airstrikes in the Hodeidah region; seven in the port of Salif and the rest in two strikes on the Ras Issa oil facility.
Since joining the “Al-Aqsa Flood” war effort alongside Hamas, the Houthis have launched over 200 missiles and 170 drones at Israel. The IDF says that most of those attacks were intercepted.
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The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
