Noa Lazimi 
Noa Lazimi 
Late Saturday night, as part of Iran’s promised retaliation, in the form of a missile barrage that claimed the lives of 10 Israelis in the Western Galilee and in Bat Yam, missiles were also launched from Yemen.
According to a statement the next morning by the Houthi spokesperson, the attacks were coordinated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). In the background of these events, reports emerged that the chief of staff of the Houthi armed forces, Al-Karim Al-Omari, was targeted in a precision strike during a senior leadership meeting.
Weakening the Houthis
The Houthis are striving to project strength and resilience, even as their patrons come under attack. However, they enter this campaign from a relatively weakened position – having suffered significant damage to their military infrastructure, which they are struggling to rebuild, while facing a steady depletion of weapons and missiles, as well as eroding support on the home front. To this must be added the ongoing plans of Yemen’s legitimate government to carry out a ground operation to retake Hodeidah.Moreover, the operation underscores Israel’s ability to reach even senior commanders within the Yemeni militia. Targeting such high-level figures can damage the group’s morale and slow its operational momentum. This is of special significance in light of the recent American retreat from the Yemeni arena, which the Houthis have interpreted as a victory.
The integration of the navy in fighting the Houthis
In a notable shift from previous strikes, Israel has begun deploying its navy against the Houthis. While this development is partly due to the air force’s current heavy engagement in Iran, naval operations began even prior to June 13. Just last week, advanced Sa’ar 6-class warships launched long-range precision missiles at critical infrastructure in the port of Hodeidah. Unlike fighter jets, missile ships are designed for prolonged presence in the Red Sea, enabling greater operational flexibility and precision at long distances.The integration of the navy may therefore mark a strategic shift; this is not a brief raid followed by immediate withdrawal but the beginning of a potentially sustained campaign.
Israel must continue to respond to Houthi attacks with firmness and consistency, sending a clear message to both the Iranians and their proxies that it is engaged in an all-out war against the axis of evil. Tehran must be made to understand that it cannot rely on its already faltering proxy network to tighten the noose around Israel.