Israel warns Houthis of harsh retaliation amid rising tensions

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz issued a stern warning on Thursday, stating that Yemen's Houthi rebels will face severe retaliation if they continue launching attacks on Israel. He emphasized that the Israeli Defence Forces are fully prepared to respond to any threat.

This warning follows U.S. President Donald Trump's recent announcement that the U.S. would halt its airstrikes on the Iran-backed Houthis, as the group had agreed to cease attacks on American vessels. However, the Houthis later clarified that their ceasefire with the U.S. does not extend to Israel and confirmed that they had launched drone strikes targeting Israeli territory.

Katz, in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), stressed Israel's right to self-defense and warned the Houthis of "heavy blows" if they persist. He also addressed Iran directly, accusing its leadership of backing the Houthis through funding and weapons. He declared the end of Iran’s proxy network and claimed the so-called "axis of evil" has collapsed.

Katz further warned that Iran could face consequences similar to those already inflicted on Hezbollah in Beirut, Hamas in Gaza, and Assad's regime in Damascus, suggesting that Israeli military action could extend to Tehran if threats continue.

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