In a dramatic escalation of military operations, Israeli warplanes conducted an airstrike on targets near the Houthi-controlled Red Sea port of Hudaydah in Yemen, marking the farthest-reaching offensive ever undertaken by the Israeli Air Force. Dubbed Operation ‘Outstretched Arm,’ this operation represents a significant extension of Israel’s military reach, striking a location 1,800 kilometers from its borders.
The strikes were a direct response to a drone attack by Iran-backed Houthi rebels on Tel Aviv, which resulted in the death of one Israeli civilian and highlighted vulnerabilities in the country’s air defenses. In retaliation, Israel targeted key sites in Yemen’s Hudaydah port, which it identifies as a crucial entry point for Iranian weapons destined for the Houthi regime.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the operation in a video statement, emphasizing its symbolic and strategic significance: “This operation struck targets 1,800 kilometers from our borders. It clarifies to our enemies that there is no place where the long arm of the State of Israel won’t reach.”
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) detailed that the operation aimed to disrupt the Houthi’s capability to destabilize the region and counteract their attempts to undermine maritime freedom and global trade routes. The IDF’s statement highlighted the port’s role as an economic hub for the Houthis and a conduit for Iranian weaponry.
According to the rebel-run health ministry, the strikes resulted in three deaths and injured 87 individuals, with many suffering severe burns. Images broadcasted by the Houthi-affiliated Al-Masirah television showed hospital scenes overwhelmed with casualties, many of whom were port employees. The local infrastructure in Hudaydah, including petrol stations, has reportedly been disrupted, leading to long queues and a state of darkness in the city.
The Houthi rebels, who have been increasingly targeting Israel with drones and missiles since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict in October, have caused minimal damage to Israeli territory thus far. Most of the incoming projectiles have been intercepted or failed to reach their targets.
Sources By Agencies
