ALBAWABA - On Sunday, Israel bombed Houthi targets in the Yemeni capital Sana'a. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised a "severe lesson and heavy price" for anyone who attacks Israel.
The attacks, which happened in broad daylight, hit military and strategic sites and are seen as a direct warning to Iran as tensions rise in the region.
The Israeli military said that more than ten fighter jets, including F-35 stealth planes, took part in the operation, firing 30 precision missiles at different Houthi positions in Sana'a and the surrounding area.
The Israeli army says that the strikes hit a military complex that included the presidential palace, two main power stations in Haziz and Asar, fuel storage facilities, and other Houthi military infrastructure. The Israeli Defense Ministry said that these places were being used to help drone and missile attacks on Israel and its allies, supposedly with money and planning from Iran.
Houthi media said that at least two people had died and 35 had been hurt, and search and rescue operations are still going on.
Netanyahu's Warning
Netanyahu praised the pilots and military leaders for the "flawless execution" of the strikes while visiting an Israeli Air Force base with Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, Air Force Commander, and Defense Minister Israel Katz.
Netanyahu said, "The Houthi terrorist regime is getting a harsh lesson and will pay a heavy price for its aggression." "We will fight back against anyone who attacks us. We will fight back against anyone who wants to hurt us. Everyone in the area can see how strong and determined Israel is.
Israel Katz, the defense minister, agreed with Netanyahu's comments and said that Israeli troops had destroyed the Houthi presidential palace and were keeping an air and naval blockade in place to limit the group's abilities. Katz said that "the Houthis will pay for every missile they launch at Israel." He called the strikes a "plague of darkness" on Houthi forces.
Note to Iran
Analysts say that the attacks in Sana'a were meant to do more than just weaken the Houthis. They were also meant to send a clear message to Iran, which Israel says is giving the Houthis weapons and directing their attacks.
The Israeli newspaper Maariv said that doing the strikes during the day was a planned show of force to show that Israel's military can reach deep into Yemen, even when surface-to-air missile systems are threatening them.
The situation is getting worse because people are worried that Israel and Iran could go to war. Observers in the region say that there aren't many options for de-escalation and that things could get out of hand quickly.
