Israel and US Launch Joint Counterstrike on Houthis After Ben-Gurion Airport Attack

In a decisive response to an unprecedented escalation, Israel and the United States carried out coordinated airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen on Monday night. The operation followed a ballistic missile strike by the Iranian-backed terror group that landed near Ben-Gurion Airport on Sunday, threatening Israel's main international gateway and injuring several civilians.

Approximately 20 Israeli fighter jets participated in the mission, dropping 50 munitions on key military and economic targets around the Hodeidah seaport about 2,000 kilometers from Israeli airspace. It marks Israel’s sixth strike on the Houthis since July 2024, part of an ongoing effort to counter more than 400 attacks the group has launched against Israel throughout the war.

The IDF identified the Hodeidah port as a vital logistical hub for the Houthis, used to funnel Iranian weapons and terrorist supplies. Another target included the Bajil concrete factory east of Hodeidah, described as a critical site for tunnel construction and other military infrastructure tied to the Houthis' terror network.

“The Houthi terrorist regime has been operating for the past year and a half under Iranian direction and funding to harm Israel and its allies, undermine the regional order, and disrupt global freedom of navigation,” the IDF stated. “We are determined to continue to strike forcefully at anyone who threatens the residents of Israel no matter how far.”

The United States also carried out independent strikes near Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, in coordination with Israeli efforts. These included hits on underground Houthi infrastructure and assets at Sanaa’s power facilities. Though Israel had hoped earlier U.S. strikes would neutralize the threat without further IDF involvement, the direct attack near Tel Aviv forced a recalibration.

January’s previous Israeli counterstrike coordinated with the U.S. and U.K. was the largest of the war to date, hitting power stations and port facilities used by the Houthis to receive Iranian support. Monday’s strike echoes that scale and determination, targeting economic and dual-use facilities critical to sustaining the group’s military capabilities.

The Houthis have continued to disrupt maritime trade in the Red Sea and threaten Israeli territory, operating with Iranian direction and backing. Their expanding reach, including Sunday’s missile strike near Ben-Gurion Airport, underscores the growing danger posed by Tehran’s regional proxies.

As the IDF and its allies demonstrate renewed resolve, Israel once again affirms that distance offers no sanctuary for those who threaten its citizens. The strategic cooperation with the United States stands as a formidable defense alliance against forces that seek to destabilize the region and threaten global security.

Israel will act decisively, and wherever necessary. Share this article and subscribe to our newsletter for more updates on Israel's defense and strategic partnerships.