The Prime Minister addressed the international community “will step up its efforts to deter Iranian aggression and protect international freedom of navigation,” as the Houthis, backed by Tehran, have claimed responsibility for hundreds of attacks on Israel and ships in the Red Sea, impacting international maritime trade and forcing shipping companies to change routes.

“We will defend ourselves by all means and on all fronts. “Anyone who harms us will pay a very high price for their aggression.”threatened Netanyahu, who convened a security cabinet meeting this morning to authorize an attack on Yemen, some 1,800 kilometers from the Israeli border.

The prime minister explained that they chose the port of Hodeida because “it is used for military purposes and as an entry point for deadly weapons supplied by Iran to the Houthis.”

The attack was a direct response to a drone strike that killed an Israeli citizen and wounded other civilians, as well as to the Houthi aggression against the State of Israel since the beginning of the war. Over the past eight months, the Houthis have launched hundreds of ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones into Israel.

Yesterday’s attack is the Houthis’ most far-reaching action against Israel since they began attacking ships linked to the country in the Red Sea, as well as the southern city of Eilat, since November 19 last year “in solidarity” with Gaza militias, although until yesterday none had resulted in deaths or serious damage.

EFE