In a message aimed not just at the Houthis but at the entire Middle East, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the region is “learning Israel’s strength and determination.” His statement came after Israeli jets conducted a major bombing campaign against Houthi targets in Yemen.
The airstrikes were a retaliation for a Houthi missile attack that featured a cluster bomb warhead. Israel’s response was swift and severe, hitting a military compound with the presidential palace, a fuel depot, and power stations in Sanaa, resulting in at least six deaths and 86 injuries.
Netanyahu’s comments frame the military action in a broader strategic context, positioning the strikes as a demonstration of Israeli power and a warning to other potential adversaries, particularly Iran and its proxies. He vowed to attack anyone who attacks or plans to attack Israel.
The raid shows Israel’s long-reach capability and its willingness to confront threats at their source. While Defence Minister Israel Katz claimed the destruction of the Houthi presidential palace, the core message was one of deterrence, aimed at reshaping the security landscape of the region.