Netanyahu Orders Yemen Strike Mid-Flight as Israel Responds to Houthi Drone Attacks on Eilat

by Emmitt Barry, with reporting from Worthy News Jerusalem Bureau Staff

(Worthy News) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu authorized a wide-scale strike on Houthi targets in Yemen while en route to New York aboard the “Wing of Zion” aircraft, his office confirmed Thursday.

The strikes, carried out as part of Operation “Passing Package”, targeted Houthi headquarters, weapons depots, and military camps in the capital city of Sana’a. Netanyahu was updated in real time by Defense Minister Israel Katz and the IDF General Staff during the operation.

According to the IDF, 20 Israeli Air Force fighter jets flew more than 2,200 kilometers, dropping over 65 precision munitions on seven separate sites, including five military bases and two major weapons storage facilities linked to drones and ballistic missiles. Israeli naval assets also participated in the operation.

Defense Minister Katz said the strikes were a direct response to recent Houthi drone assaults on Eilat, including Wednesday’s attack that struck a hotel and injured 48 civilians.

“As I promised yesterday—whoever harms us will be harmed sevenfold,” Katz declared. He added that among the targets destroyed were the Houthis’ General Staff headquarters, security and intelligence facilities, and the command center of their propaganda unit.

Eilat Defenses Strengthened After Failed Interception

The IDF released its preliminary findings Thursday on the failed interception that allowed a Houthi drone to penetrate Israel’s multilayered defenses and explode in Eilat’s tourist district.

The investigation found the drone was detected too late, leaving air-defense units with little response time. Although warning sirens were triggered in accordance with protocol, two Iron Dome interception attempts failed due to technical errors now under review. Corrective measures have since been implemented, and the Air Force commander has ordered strengthened radar detection, improved readiness, and enhanced interception capabilities in the region.

IDF Spokesperson Brig.-Gen. Effie Defrin urged Eilat residents to heed sirens during future incidents, noting that some of Wednesday’s casualties were among those who failed to take cover.

U.S. Condemns Drone Attacks

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee condemned the drone strike in Eilat and reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to Israel’s defense.

“Despite lectures at the UN, the United States will never compromise on supporting Israel against violent terrorists obsessed with its destruction,” Huckabee posted on X.

Houthis Undeterred

Thursday’s strike marked Israel’s 15th major attack against Houthi assets in Yemen, following repeated drone and missile assaults launched toward Israel since the Gaza war erupted. Despite the escalating Israeli responses—including a previous strike that killed several top Houthi civilian ministers—the Houthis have continued to fire drones and rockets toward Israeli cities.

Security analysts warn that the group’s persistence underscores both their resilience and the broader regional challenges Israel faces as it attempts to contain threats from multiple fronts.

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