Israeli strikes in Yemen leave ‘all Houthi ports paralysed’

The Israeli Air Force struck Houthi targets in Yemen overnight Wednesday, after intercepting a missile over central Israel fired by the Iranian-backed terror group.

Israeli sources told Times of Israel that believed that all activity at  ports controlled by the Houthis were now paralysed.

A school in the Ramat Efal neighbourhood of Ramat Gan, just east of Tel Aviv, suffered severe damage when interceptor shrapnel hit it.

According to the mayor, the impact caused a partial collapse of the central building, prompting the cancellation of classes for the day. No injuries were reported.

According to the IDF, the IAF strikes were carried out in two waves by 14 fighter jets, refuellers, and spy planes.

The jets were already en route to Yemen when the Houthis launched the ballistic missile at around 2.35 am.

The first wave of strikes occurred at 3.15 am, targeting the Ras Isa oil terminal on the Red Sea as well as the Hodeidah and Salif ports. Eight tugboats, used for guiding ships into the ports, were also destroyed.

At 4.30 am, the second wave targeted the Yemeni capital of Sana’a, hitting two power stations, the Haziz and D’Habban, according to reports in Yemen.

Houthi-affiliated media reported casualties.

“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 order to attack the State of Israel and Israeli civilians,” the IDF stated following the strikes.

“The conducted strikes degrade the Houthi terrorist regime, preventing it from exploiting the targets for military and terrorist purposes, including the smuggling of Iranian weapons to the region,” the statement continued.

“The IDF is determined to continue operating against all threats posed to the citizens of the State of Israel, wherever necessary.”

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned Houthi leaders after the overnight operation that “the long arm of Israel will reach you. Whoever raises a hand [against us] will have it severed. Whoever harms [us], will be harmed many times over.”

Israeli President Isaac Herzog commended the IAF operation in an X post on Thursday morning.

“In the last few hours, we have seen the tremendous ability and bravery of the Israeli Air Force, defending our people against an attack by the Iranian terrorist proxy, the Houthis in Yemen, and striking them with powerful force,” Herzog wrote.

“I thank each of the brave servicemen and women of the Israeli Air Force and the IDF for defending our people from terrorists who seek to terrorise Israel and the Middle East,” he added.

On Monday, a Houthi missile triggered air-raid sirens in the greater Tel Aviv area. Israel’s Magen David Adom emergency response group said it had treated five people who were lightly injured while running for cover.

Earlier on Monday, an Israeli Navy ship intercepted a Houthi drone over the Red Sea before it crossed into Israeli territory.

On December 9, a Houthi drone hit a residential high-rise building in the central Israeli city of Yavne, north east of Ashdod. On December 1, a ballistic missile launched from Yemen triggered sirens in the Judean foothills. The missile was intercepted before entering Israeli airspace, the IDF said. Four people were injured running to shelters, according to Magen David Adom.

The Iran-backed Houthi rebels have launched over 200 missiles and 170 drones at Israel in support of Hamas since the Gaza-based terrorist group’s October 7, 2023, massacre in the northwestern Negev. The vast majority were intercepted outside of Israeli territory by Israel or the U.S.

In July, a Houthi drone killed a civilian in central Tel Aviv. In response, Israel struck Yemen’s Hodeidah Port.

On September 29, the Israeli Air Force carried out dozens of strikes in the area of Hodeidah. The targets included “power plants and a seaport, which were used by the Houthis to transfer Iranian weapons to the region, in addition to military supplies and oil,” the IDF said.

“The Houthis are also targeting other countries – in the Middle East, the United States and other countries in the world,” IDF Spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari noted in an English statement released early on Thursday morning.

“With their attacks on international shipping vessels and roots in the Red Sea and other places, the Houthis have become a global threat. Who is behind the Houthis? Iran. The regime in Iran funds, arms and directs the Houthi’s terror activities,” he continued.

“As we have shown against other enemies in other arenas, we will continue to act against anyone – anyone in the Middle East that threatens the State of Israel, and we will defend the people of Israel,” Hagari concluded.