Israel Preparing Large-Scale Attack on Yemen: Sources

Tel Aviv/Sanaa — Israel is preparing to launch a large-scale offensive against Yemen, Israeli security sources told Al Arabiya and its sister channel Al Hadath.

The revelation comes after Yemen’s Houthi movement claimed on Sunday that it had targeted Israel’s Ramon Airport with drones. The group also reported strikes on sites in the Negev, Eilat, Ashkelon, Ashdod, and Tel Aviv.

The Israeli military confirmed that a Houthi drone crashed in southern Israel, lightly injuring one person — an account corroborated by local ambulance services. Initial investigations indicated the drone aimed at Ramon Airport had first been logged as a “non-hostile” aircraft before being identified.

Earlier the same day, the Israeli army said it intercepted three additional Houthi drones launched from Yemen, destroying two before they entered Israeli airspace.

Last Thursday, Defense Minister Yisrael Katz warned the Houthis of “severe retaliation” as the Iran-backed group escalated missile and drone attacks. The Houthis have since vowed to intensify their strikes, particularly after an Israeli air raid in Sanaa last week killed their designated prime minister along with 11 senior officials.

Since Hamas’ October 7, 2023 assault on Israel triggered the Gaza war, the Houthis have regularly fired ballistic missiles and drones toward Israeli territory, most of which have been intercepted. The group has also attacked commercial vessels in the Red Sea, claiming they were linked to Israel, framing the attacks as part of their support for Palestinians in Gaza.

In response, Israel has carried out months of retaliatory strikes against Houthi bases, facilities, and leadership targets across Yemen.