Israeli defense establishment readies for renewed fighting in Yemen

Israel’s defense establishment is preparing for the possibility of renewed fighting in Yemen, and has renewed its operational plans against the Houthi movement, according to a report aired Wednesday on Channel 14. The plans would be activated only if the political leadership orders them, while the military is updating its operational response to threats coming from the south.

The move follows comments by Defense Minister Israel Katz in an interview earlier in the day on Channel 14, where he issued a sharp warning to the Houthi leadership. Katz said, “The account of the State of Israel with the Houthis is still open,” and said they would pay a price for their actions.

Katz also said Israel could carry out a targeted strike against the group’s leadership, adding that if the Houthi leader were placed in Israel’s sights, he would be killed. The report says the defense establishment is now considering that kind of action as part of its contingency planning.

The Houthis returned to the headlines earlier this month when a missile fired from Yemen toward Israel was intercepted without damage or casualties. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed responsibility, saying missiles had been launched at “sensitive targets in Jaffa,” and warned that the group would escalate in response to any Israeli action. The article also recalled the Houthis’ declared ban on Israeli vessels in the Red Sea and their claim that any Israeli movement there is a military target. It said the group joined the conflict months ago during Operation “Roar of the Lion,” carrying out a naval blockade and nine missile and drone launches, all intercepted by Israel’s air defenses.