Israel warns Iran: Halt support for Houthis or face strikes
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz threatened Iran on Thursday. He announced that if further support is given to Houthi fighters, Israel will respond to the Iranian authorities similarly to its actions against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Israel's Defence Minister, Israel Katz, warned on Thursday that if Iran does not stop supporting Yemeni Houthi rebels, Israel will take retaliatory actions comparable to those in Beirut, the Gaza Strip, and Damascus. His statement came after the Houthi attack on Ben Gurion Airport, Israel's main airport, which took place 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 have been regularly firing rockets and drones at Israel. Most missiles are intercepted, preventing damage and casualties.
The Houthi rebels also conducted over 100 attacks targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. They claim this is how they support Hamas in its fight against Israel.
