Israel joins U.S. in ramped-up offensive against Houthis
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the intensification of actions against the Yemeni Houthi rebels following their attack on Ben Gurion Airport. Israel will join the U.S. operation, but details remain undisclosed.
What do you need to know?
- Attack on Ben Gurion Airport: Yemeni rebels launched a ballistic missile that struck near Ben Gurion Airport in Israel.
- Israeli response: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced increased attacks on the Houthis, emphasizing that these actions will not be isolated incidents.
- Cooperation with the USA: Israel will join American operations against the Houthis, which have been intensified since late 2023.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that Israel will escalate attacks on the Yemeni Houthi rebels. This decision follows Sunday's missile attack on Ben Gurion Airport, which caused minor injuries to several people and temporarily halted air traffic.
Netanyahu emphasized that these actions will be ongoing, and Israel will align with operations conducted by the U.S.
Why are the Houthis attacking Israel?
The Houthis, supported by Iran, have been regularly attacking Israel with rockets and drones since the outbreak of the war in the Gaza Strip. Sunday's attack on Ben Gurion Airport was the first successful strike on this facility.
The rebels control large areas of Yemen and, since the fall of 2023, have carried out over 100 attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, declaring support for Hamas in its fight against Israel.
What are the US actions against the Houthis?
Since late 2023, the United States has led a coalition aimed at defending freedom of navigation in the Red Sea region. In mid-March 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern Time, President Donald Trump announced a new offensive against the Houthis, intensifying airstrikes.
Since then, the U.S. has attacked over 1,000 targets in Yemen, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of fighters. The United Kingdom joined this campaign at the end of April.
