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Wednesday, Jun 17, 2026
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Israel Launches Airstrikes Against Houthi Targets in Yemen Following Missile Attack
The Israeli military carries out strikes in response to Houthi missile launch at Ben Gurion Airport, exacerbating regional tensions.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted airstrikes targeting Houthi positions in Yemen on Monday, a day after a missile fired by the Iran-backed group landed near Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, causing injuries and disruptions to air traffic.
The IDF stated that the strikes aimed at locations in Hudaydah, a significant port city utilized by the Houthis to facilitate the transfer of Iranian-supplied weapons and military resources.
The IDF specified that the Bajil cement factory, situated east of Hudaydah, was struck due to its reported role in supporting Houthi military operations, including the construction of tunnels used for military purposes.
The military emphasized that the airstrikes were conducted with precision to minimize collateral damage to civilian vessels at the port.
In the missile attack on Sunday, the projectile struck an access road adjacent to the main terminal of Ben Gurion Airport, injuring four individuals, two of whom were hurt while moving to a shelter.
This marked the first time since the onset of the ongoing conflict that a missile had landed within the bounds of the airport.
In response to the Israeli strikes, Houthi media reported that at least 21 people were injured in the attacks on Monday, which they termed an act of “US-Israeli aggression.” The Houthis vowed to further escalate their military actions, threatening to impose an aerial blockade against Israel, aimed at targeting its airports, as retaliation for the current military operations in Gaza.
Critically, the US military has also engaged in aerial operations against Houthi targets as part of its broader strategy in the region.
A US defense official clarified that US forces did not participate in the recent Israeli strikes, distinguishing this from other military actions aimed at the Houthis in Yemen.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the missile strike on the airport and asserted that Israel would continue to retaliate against any threats posed by the Houthis.
He stated, “We attacked in the past, we will attack in the future,” asserting that the military will respond decisively to protect its citizens.
The strategic significance of Hudaydah Port cannot be overstated, as it serves as the entry point for approximately 80% of Yemen's food imports, making it a crucial humanitarian corridor in the already war-torn country.
The continuing conflict in Yemen has drawn international concern due to its severe humanitarian implications, particularly amid ongoing military actions from multiple fronts, including Israel's intensifying operations in Gaza.
Subsequent to the escalation in hostilities, Israel’s military objectives have expanded, with ongoing discussions among Israeli officials regarding plans to fortify its military presence and additional territorial control in Gaza.
Operations in both Yemen and Gaza are reflective of a broader regional struggle involving Iranian influence and the responses of various actors aligned against it.
The IDF stated that the strikes aimed at locations in Hudaydah, a significant port city utilized by the Houthis to facilitate the transfer of Iranian-supplied weapons and military resources.
The IDF specified that the Bajil cement factory, situated east of Hudaydah, was struck due to its reported role in supporting Houthi military operations, including the construction of tunnels used for military purposes.
The military emphasized that the airstrikes were conducted with precision to minimize collateral damage to civilian vessels at the port.
In the missile attack on Sunday, the projectile struck an access road adjacent to the main terminal of Ben Gurion Airport, injuring four individuals, two of whom were hurt while moving to a shelter.
This marked the first time since the onset of the ongoing conflict that a missile had landed within the bounds of the airport.
In response to the Israeli strikes, Houthi media reported that at least 21 people were injured in the attacks on Monday, which they termed an act of “US-Israeli aggression.” The Houthis vowed to further escalate their military actions, threatening to impose an aerial blockade against Israel, aimed at targeting its airports, as retaliation for the current military operations in Gaza.
Critically, the US military has also engaged in aerial operations against Houthi targets as part of its broader strategy in the region.
A US defense official clarified that US forces did not participate in the recent Israeli strikes, distinguishing this from other military actions aimed at the Houthis in Yemen.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the missile strike on the airport and asserted that Israel would continue to retaliate against any threats posed by the Houthis.
He stated, “We attacked in the past, we will attack in the future,” asserting that the military will respond decisively to protect its citizens.
The strategic significance of Hudaydah Port cannot be overstated, as it serves as the entry point for approximately 80% of Yemen's food imports, making it a crucial humanitarian corridor in the already war-torn country.
The continuing conflict in Yemen has drawn international concern due to its severe humanitarian implications, particularly amid ongoing military actions from multiple fronts, including Israel's intensifying operations in Gaza.
Subsequent to the escalation in hostilities, Israel’s military objectives have expanded, with ongoing discussions among Israeli officials regarding plans to fortify its military presence and additional territorial control in Gaza.
Operations in both Yemen and Gaza are reflective of a broader regional struggle involving Iranian influence and the responses of various actors aligned against it.