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Israel’s recent military strike on Houthi targets in Yemen, carried out by Israeli Air Force jets early Thursday morning, has sparked controversy following reports that Defense Minister Israel Katz was absent from the operation room during the mission.
The strike, which targeted military infrastructure used for smuggling Iranian weapons, as well as energy facilities and ports in the Yemeni capital of Sana’a, is seen as a significant escalation in Israel’s efforts to counter threats from the Houthis, who have launched multiple attacks against the Jewish state.
According to Israel’s public broadcaster KAN News, Katz was not present in the operations room at the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv when the airstrike took place.
Sources cited by KAN reported that Katz had arrived at the headquarters later that evening, at around 9:30 p.m., after the operation was completed.
The Defense Minister reportedly approved the mission, but left shortly thereafter, sparking questions among those who had expected him to remain at the site given the strategic significance of the strike. Katz had previously described the operation as targeting “strategic assets” of the Houthi militia.
The Defense Minister’s absence raised eyebrows, particularly in light of the high-profile nature of the operation, which involved Israeli jets flying over 2,000 kilometers to strike more than 60 Houthi targets.
According to reports, Katz’s office explained his absence by citing prior commitments, including discussions at the Knesset.
However, some within the military circles seemed to find this explanation unsatisfactory, given Katz’s leadership role in overseeing such a major military action.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, addressing the airstrike, issued a strong warning to the Houthis, saying, “They learn and will learn the hard way that whoever harms Israel pays for it a heavy price.”
The airstrike was a clear signal of Israel’s determination to prevent further Houthi aggression, particularly following their missile and drone attacks on Israeli territory.
Over 200 ballistic missiles and more than 170 drones launched by the Houthis have been directed at Israel in recent months, with most being intercepted by Israeli or U.S. defense systems. However, 22 of those projectiles managed to penetrate Israeli defenses.
The airstrike targeted various Houthi assets, including oil and fuel tanks, tugboats, and power plants, as well as military sites linked to smuggling Iranian weapons.
The Israeli military emphasized that these sites were directly involved in activities threatening Israel’s security. It was reported that the United States had been notified ahead of the strike, underscoring the importance of coordination between the two allies.
While the operation was widely seen as a success, it also raised questions about Israel’s continued involvement in the conflict in Yemen, particularly as the country faces multiple security challenges at home and abroad.
The absence of the Defense Minister during such a pivotal moment in the operation will likely continue to be a topic of discussion as more details emerge.
As tensions continue to rise between Israel and the Houthis, the military and political ramifications of Thursday’s strike will unfold in the coming days, with many watching closely to see how Israel responds to further provocations from the group backed by Iran.