While ceasefires with Gaza and Lebanon continue, another front may soon reopen against the Houthis in Yemen. A few days ago, the Houthis threatened that if Israel did not resume humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip within four days, they would renew their missile fire toward Israel. Now, with the expiration of the ultimatum, Israel is preparing for the possibility of renewed long-range missile fire from Yemen toward Israel, which would require the use of Israel’s most advanced defense systems, or drones that are more challenging to locate and intercept.
President Biden established an international coalition against the Houthis and struck them hard; one can expect Trump’s response to be even harsher. Under the new administration, President Trump has intensified its tone and even included the Houthis on the list of global terrorist organizations. Additionally, options for direct Israeli strikes on Yemen are on the table. It should be recalled that Israel carried out five airstrikes against the Houthis during the war between July 2024 and January 2025, sometimes in cooperation with coalition air forces. These strikes caused significant destruction in Yemen and damage to the Houthi regime, but ultimately the Houthis ceased fire only after a ceasefire agreement took effect.
Minimal Damage, Yet Difficult to Deter
It is important to recall that the Houthis represent a semi-political, semi-clan organization that has taken control of most of Yemen’s territory during the past decade amid the civil war. The Houthis are Shiite and influenced by Iran, which has supplied them with advanced weaponry and long-range missiles that reach Israel at a distance of 2,000 km (making their fire toward Israel the longest operational fire in history). The Houthis have fired toward Israel systematically during the year of war, causing the death of one Israeli; the public’s significant attention toward them primarily stemmed from their persistence in firing, even during periods when other fronts were relatively quiet.
