Netanyahu Warns: "Whoever Hurts Israel Will Pay a Heavy Price" After Strikes on Houthi Targets

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent a clear and powerful message after Israel's airstrikes targeted Houthi terror infrastructure in Yemen on Thursday. Addressing the attacks, Netanyahu declared, "Whoever harms Israel will pay a heavy price," in response to the Houthis' ongoing missile and drone attacks on Israeli civilian targets, including a school in Ramat Gan.

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) launched a series of strikes in the early hours of Thursday, targeting Houthi military assets, including Iranian weapon smuggling sites, energy infrastructure, ports, and military storage. These strikes come after the Houthis fired over 200 ballistic missiles and drones at Israel, with 22 of them managing to penetrate Israeli defenses.

A Global Threat: Israel Acts on Behalf of the World

Netanyahu emphasized that the Houthis' attacks are not only a threat to Israel but to the entire world. "They are attacking international shipping and trade routes," Netanyahu pointed out. "So when Israel acts against the Houthis, it is acting on behalf of the entire international community." He also warned that the Houthis, backed by Iran, are one of the last arms of Iran's "Axis of Evil" in the region.

Israel's military operations in Yemen also reflect Israel’s ongoing struggle against Iran’s destabilizing activities in the Middle East. Netanyahu made it clear that those who attack Israel, whether through terrorism or military action, will face the consequences of their actions.

Israel's airstrikes targeted several key sites, including oil and fuel tanks, tugboats, and power plants used by the Houthis. The military's operations were carefully coordinated with the U.S., which was notified in advance of Israel’s intentions.

The IDF revealed that over 60 bombs were dropped during the operation, which saw Israeli jets fly 2,000 kilometers to reach the Houthi targets. The military also released new footage of the attack, showing the extensive damage inflicted on Houthi terror infrastructure.

School Hit in Ramat Gan

One of the missiles fired by the Houthis struck a school in Ramat Gan after being partially intercepted by Israel’s missile defense systems. The missile’s warhead caused significant damage to the building, highlighting the ongoing risk posed by the Houthi attacks on Israeli civilian areas.

Netanyahu’s statement underscored Israel's resolve to defend its sovereignty and protect its citizens from external threats. The Israeli Prime Minister warned that the Houthis, like Hamas and Hezbollah before them, would "learn the hard way" that targeting Israel carries a heavy price.