A deadly cycle of violence has intensified between Israel and Yemen’s Houthis, with a rebel missile attack prompting a powerful wave of Israeli airstrikes on Sanaa that killed six people and wounded dozens more. The escalation threatens to further destabilize the volatile region.
The latest round began when the Houthis launched a ballistic missile, which Israel alleges was armed with a cluster bomb warhead. This act of aggression crossed a line for Israel, which responded with a massive aerial bombardment of Houthi targets.
The Israeli strikes hit a military compound, a fuel depot, and power stations, aiming to degrade the Houthis’ military capabilities. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the Houthis are now learning the “heavy price” of their actions through harsh experience.
This tit-for-tat exchange, with each side raising the stakes, creates a dangerous spiral. As the Houthis are unlikely to back down and Israel is committed to its policy of severe retaliation, the potential for a larger, more destructive confrontation grows with each attack.
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