What's happened
On September 25-26, 2025, Israel launched extensive airstrikes on Houthi military and intelligence sites in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, killing at least nine people including civilians. The strikes followed a rare Houthi drone attack on southern Israel's Eilat that wounded 22. The conflict is part of ongoing hostilities linked to the Gaza war, with the Houthis targeting Israel in solidarity with Palestinians.
What's behind the headline?
Strategic Escalation and Regional Implications
The recent Israeli airstrikes on Houthi targets in Sanaa represent a significant escalation in the Yemen-Israel conflict, which has been intensifying since the Gaza war began in late 2023. The Houthis' drone attack on Eilat, breaching Israel's air defenses and wounding civilians, marks a rare and bold offensive that prompted a powerful Israeli military response involving dozens of aircraft and extensive munitions.
Military and Political Dimensions
Israel's strikes targeted key Houthi military command centers, intelligence facilities, and propaganda headquarters, aiming to degrade the group's operational capabilities and deter further attacks. The use of aerial refueling and long-range fighter jet missions underscores Israel's commitment to projecting power deep into Yemen despite logistical challenges.
The Houthis' framing of their attacks as solidarity with Palestinians ties the Yemen conflict to the broader Middle East geopolitical landscape, complicating efforts to isolate the Gaza war. Israel's assassination of senior Houthi officials, including the prime minister, and repeated strikes on civilian infrastructure have intensified the humanitarian toll and may fuel further Houthi resolve.
Forecast and Consequences
This cycle of attack and retaliation is likely to continue, with Israel signaling more offensive operations against the Houthis. The conflict risks further destabilizing Yemen, already devastated by civil war, and could draw in regional actors aligned with Iran or Israel. For international observers, the Yemen front exemplifies how the Gaza war's reverberations extend beyond immediate borders, affecting global security dynamics.
Impact on Civilians and Regional Stability
The strikes have caused civilian casualties, including children and women, and damaged residential areas, exacerbating Yemen's humanitarian crisis. The targeting of media and propaganda facilities also highlights the information warfare dimension. The ongoing violence threatens to deepen regional instability and complicate diplomatic efforts toward ceasefires or peace negotiations.
What the papers say
The New Arab and AP News provide detailed accounts of the Israeli airstrikes on September 25-26, highlighting civilian casualties in Sanaa, including children and elderly, and damage to residential neighborhoods. The New Arab emphasizes the Houthis' defiant rhetoric, quoting spokesperson Omar el-Bekhety stating the attacks will "increase their steadfastness and resilience." AP News and The Independent include vivid eyewitness descriptions of explosions and destruction in Sanaa, with residents describing thick dust and damaged homes.
The Times of Israel offers a military-focused perspective, detailing the scale of the Israeli operation involving 20 fighter jets and over 65 munitions, and naming specific targets such as the Houthis' general staff headquarters and propaganda department. It also reports on Israel's investigation into the drone attack on Eilat, noting failures in the Iron Dome defense system and steps to improve readiness.
Al Jazeera provides context on the timing of the strikes coinciding with Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi's speech condemning Israel and praising Palestinian resistance. It also notes the broader pattern of Israeli strikes on Yemeni infrastructure and the Houthis' ongoing missile and drone attacks on Israel since October 2023.
Together, these sources illustrate a complex conflict with military, political, and humanitarian dimensions, reflecting the broader regional tensions linked to the Gaza war.
How we got here
Since October 2023, Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels have launched missiles and drones at Israel, citing solidarity with Palestinians amid the Gaza conflict. Israel has responded with repeated airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, targeting military infrastructure and leadership. The Houthis have also attacked maritime traffic in the Red Sea, escalating regional tensions.
Go deeper
- What triggered the recent escalation between Israel and the Houthis?
- How have civilians been affected by the strikes in Yemen?
- What are the regional implications of the Yemen-Israel hostilities?
Common question
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Why Did Israel Strike Yemen Rebels Now?
Recent Israeli air strikes targeting Houthi military sites in Yemen have raised many questions. Why now? What’s behind these attacks, and what do they mean for regional stability? Below, we explore the key questions about this escalation, the situation in Yemen, and the broader Middle Eastern conflict. If you're wondering about the implications of these strikes and how they fit into the ongoing regional tensions, read on for clear, concise answers.
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Why Are Israel's Airstrikes Targeting Yemen and Lebanon?
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What Are the Main Conflicts Happening Today?
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What’s Behind the Rising Tensions in the Middle East?
Recent escalations in the Middle East have raised concerns about regional stability and the risk of wider conflict. From Israeli strikes in Lebanon to Yemen’s drone attacks, understanding the causes and implications of these events is crucial. Below, we explore the key questions about the current situation and what it means for regional and global security.
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What Are the Key News Stories Today and Why Do They Matter?
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Why Did Israel Conduct Air Strikes on Yemen Houthi Targets?
Recent air strikes by Israel on Houthi military sites in Yemen have raised many questions about regional security and the ongoing conflict. These strikes are part of a broader escalation linked to tensions in Gaza and Iran-backed groups. Below, we explore the reasons behind these military actions, their regional implications, and what they mean for international peace efforts.
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Why Did Israel Strike Houthi Targets in Yemen?
Recent Israeli airstrikes on Houthi military sites in Yemen have raised many questions. Why did Israel target Yemen now? How does this relate to the ongoing Gaza conflict? And what does it mean for regional stability? Below, we explore the key reasons behind these strikes and what they signify for the Middle East.
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How Are Rising Social Tensions in the US and Australia Affecting Global Relations?
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How Are Current Events Shaping Public Opinion and Policy?
Recent global conflicts, violent incidents, and political tensions are significantly influencing public opinion and prompting new policy debates worldwide. From military strikes to social unrest, these events raise important questions about stability, government responses, and societal impacts. Below, we explore some of the most pressing questions about how today’s news is shaping our world.
More on these topics
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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Yemen, officially the Republic of Yemen, is a country at the southern end of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is the second-largest Arab sovereign state in the peninsula, occupying 527,970 square kilometres.
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Sanaa, also spelled Sanaʽa or Sana, is the largest city in Yemen and the centre of Sanaa Governorate. The city is not part of the Governorate, but forms the separate administrative district of "Amanat Al-Asemah".
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Eilat, or Umm Al-Rashrash sometimes in Arabic, is Israel's southernmost city with a population of 51,935, a busy port and popular resort at the northern tip of the Red Sea, on what is known in Israel as the Gulf of Eilat and in Jordan as the Gulf of Aqaba
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The Houthi movement, officially called Ansar Allah and colloquially simply Houthis, is an Islamic political and armed movement that emerged from Sa'dah in northern Yemen in the 1990s.
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The Israeli Air Force operates as the aerial warfare branch of the Israel Defense Forces. It was founded on May 28, 1948, shortly after the Israeli Declaration of Independence. As of August 2017 Aluf Amikam Norkin serves as the Air Force Commander.
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The Israel Defense Forces, commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal, are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force, and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has