Netanyahu: ‘Just as we have acted forcefully against the terror arms of Iran’s axis of evil, so too will we act against the Houthis.’
By JNS and United with Israel Staff
The Israel Defense Forces shot down an attack drone launched by Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists from Yemen before it crossed into Israeli territory on Monday, the military announced in a statement.
In accordance with IDF policy, no air-raid sirens sounded in the Jewish state as the aerial attack from Yemen was thwarted, the army added.
Multiple Houthi missiles have hit Israel’s densely populated central region in recent days, prompting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to promise the Israeli public that the terror group will be dealt with.
“Just as we have acted forcefully against the terror arms of Iran’s axis of evil, so too will we act against the Houthis,” Netanyahu declared on Sunday, adding, “However, in this case, we are not acting alone. Like us, the US and other countries see the Houthis not only as a threat to international maritime navigation but to the international order as well.”
“Therefore, we will take forceful, determined and sophisticated action. I will say this, even if it takes time, the result will be the same – as it has been with the other terror arms,” he continued.
“But what I ask of you, citizens of Israel, is to be patient, to continue showing the same resilience that you have shown up until now, and to strictly follow Home Front Command directives.
“This I ask of you – you do this and we will take care of the rest.”
The Houthis came up for discussion in an Israeli Security Cabinet meeting on Sunday. The Iranian proxy has stepped up missile launches against Israel to the point of upsetting the Iranians. They are no longer acting as a classic proxy, according to a report from Israel’s Channel 12 News.
The Houthis have advanced weapons that include cruise and surface-to-surface missiles, as well as drones. According to the report, these assets are spread out over large areas and are difficult to reach, making it challenging for Israel to create a bank of targets.