Israel has issued a stern ultimatum to Yemen’s Houthi movement, warning of severe retaliatory strikes if the group’s assaults on Israeli territory persist. The warning extended beyond the Houthis to include their primary sponsor, Iran, signaling that Tehran could face the same fate as other regional enemies of Israel.
Following a U.S. announcement that it had brokered a ceasefire with the Houthis, Defense Minister Yisroel Katz emphasized that Israel must maintain the capacity to defend itself even in the absence of American assistance. This came amid quiet unease among Israeli officials about the implications of Washington’s agreement with the group.
“The Houthis will absorb heavy blows from Israel if they continue firing at us. The IDF is prepared for any mission,” Katz declared in a statement issued early Thursday.
Katz also warned Iran, which has long been accused of supplying weapons and funds to the Houthis, that it could find itself on the receiving end of Israel’s military might. He pointed to past operations against Iranian-backed entities as a clear precedent.
“I also warn the Iranian leadership that funds, arms and operates the Houthi terror organization… You are directly responsible. What we did to Hezbollah in Beirut, Hamas in Gaza, to Assad in Damascus and the Houthis in Yemen, will also be done to you in Tehran,” Katz stated, echoing prior warnings issued by the U.S.
The remarks came after Israel launched a barrage of airstrikes over two days, hitting multiple Houthi targets. These included the international airport in Sanaa, a port facility in Hodeida, and a cement plant—all reportedly used for military purposes.
Despite the damage inflicted, the Houthis, who have been persistently targeting Israel with drones and missiles during the ongoing conflict, pledged they would strike back.
On Wednesday, the Israeli military reported that a Houthi-launched missile landed outside the country’s borders. Earlier in the day, the IDF intercepted a drone suspected of having been sent from Yemen.
These incidents unfolded even as Houthi leaders made it clear that the ceasefire they reached with the United States applied only to American naval activity in the Red Sea—and did not limit attacks against Israel or vessels with links to it.
President Donald Trump disclosed the agreement from the Oval Office on Tuesday. U.S. and Israeli sources indicated that Israel had not been briefed beforehand about the deal.
“There was astonishment,” an Israeli official told The Times of Israel on Thursday. “Some are concerned there will be more surprise moves,” the official continued. “Others say we should wait and see how this plays out.”
With Yemen located more than 2,000 miles from Israel, military experts noted that Israel faces logistical hurdles in sustaining a direct campaign against the Houthis without assistance. There’s growing concern that the reduction in U.S. operations could enable the group to rearm and resume attacks on Israel with renewed force.
Privately, some Israeli officials have also voiced apprehension over the ongoing U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations, which they fear could tie Israel’s hands if military action becomes necessary.
Still, Katz reaffirmed Thursday that Israel must maintain its ability to act independently, regardless of external backing.
“Israel must be capable of defending itself on its own against any threat or enemy. That was true in the past and will be in the future,” he asserted.
Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a strong ally of President Trump, said Wednesday that Israel may have to operate alone in facing down threats from Iran and its network of militias.
“As to the Houthis continuing to attack Israel — they do so at Iran’s own peril. Without Iran, the Houthis do not possess the capability to attack America, international shipping or Israel,” Graham wrote on X. “To my friends in Israel, do what you have to do to protect your airspace and your people. It is long past time to consider hitting Iran hard. It wouldn’t take much to put Iran out of the oil business.”
Katz’s words echoed prior messages from the Trump administration, which has threatened direct military response against Iran if the Houthi offensives were not halted.
CNN reported that the recent talks between U.S. officials and the Houthis gained traction after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth posted a sharp warning on X, declaring that Iran “will pay the CONSEQUENCE at the time and place of our choosing” should it persist in arming the Houthis with lethal aid.
The Houthi movement, alongside Hamas and Hezbollah, forms part of Iran’s self-described “axis of resistance” aimed at confronting Israel and its close ally, the United States.
{Matzav.com Israel}