Israel has executed a series of air strikes targeting Houthi positions in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, in retaliation for a recent missile strike that Israel accused the Iran-backed Houthis of launching with cluster munitions. The targeted sites included a military complex, which housed the presidential palace, a fuel depot, and power stations. Casualty reports from Houthi officials indicate that four individuals were killed, and 67 others sustained injuries in the Israeli strikes.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) described the Houthi attack as the first instance of cluster munitions being used by the group since the ongoing conflict with Israel escalated. This has prompted an internal investigation within the Israeli military surrounding the failure to intercept the missile carrying the banned munitions, which are prohibited by over 100 countries due to their indiscriminate nature.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz oversaw the operations, with Netanyahu asserting the nation's unwavering stance against any entities intending to attack Israel. "Anyone who attacks us - we attack them," he declared, reaffirming Israel's strength and determination.
In the aftermath, the Houthis disseminated a video that depicted the destruction caused by their use of bombs, indicating the gravity of the incident. The IDF confirmed that one bomblet landed in Ginaton, a town in central Israel, causing minor damage.
Cluster munitions work by releasing numerous small explosives from a missile, creating a wide dispersal pattern that can lead to civilian casualties long after the initial strike. Many of these bomblets fail to detonate upon impact, presenting ongoing threats to unsuspecting individuals in affected areas.
The Houthis have maintained control over significant portions of northwestern Yemen since a civil war erupted in 2014, following the ousting of the internationally recognized government. Following the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023, the Houthis have ramped up missile attacks against Israel and engaged in maritime operations against commercial vessels in solidarity with the Palestinians.
Iran continues to provide support to the Houthis, having used cluster bombs in its confrontations with Israel earlier this year. As tensions escalate, questions surrounding regional security and the escalating conflict remain a pressing concern for all parties involved.
