Israel warns Iran: Stop aiding Houthis or meet same fate as Hamas
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz threatened Iran on Thursday, announcing that if Iran continues its support for Houthi fighters, Israel will respond to the Iranian authorities as it did to Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Katz cautioned that should Iran persist in backing the Yemeni Houthi rebels, Israel will enact retaliatory measures similar to those executed in Beirut, the Gaza Strip, and Damascus. His statement followed the Houthi attack on Ben Gurion Airport, Israel's main airport, which occurred last Sunday.
I warn... Iranian leaders who finance, arm and exploit the Houthi terrorist organization: the proxy system is terminated and the axis of evil has collapsed. You are directly responsible. What we have done to Hezbollah in Beirut, to Hamas in Gaza, to (now ousted Syrian president Bashar) Assad in Damascus, we will do to you in Tehran too - said Katz.
The attack, carried out with a ballistic missile, did not cause significant damage at the airport itself. Although a few people were injured, the injuries were not severe. The attack also disrupted airport operations. Traffic at the airport was briefly halted, and some airlines suspended their flights to the airport for a few days.
Israel's retaliatory action
In response to the attack, the Israeli military conducted strikes on the airport in Sanaa and other targets in Yemen. Since the outbreak of war in the Gaza Strip, the Houthis regularly fire rockets and drones at Israel. Most missiles are intercepted, preventing damage and casualties.
The Houthi rebels have also carried out over 100 attacks targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. They claim this is part of their support for Hamas in its fight against Israel.
