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New Tension in the Middle East: Israel Complies with U.S. Request Regarding Houthis
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The American request may reflect new directions in U.S. military policy toward the region, focusing on strengthening military responses against the Houthis while avoiding additional escalation with Is
The United States has asked Israel to refrain from launching airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, amid escalating tensions in the region following missile launches from Yemen targeting Israeli areas.
According to Israeli press reports, this request came after internal discussions in Israel regarding the response to recent missile attacks launched by the Houthis.
The newspapers "Yedioth Ahronoth" and "Jerusalem Post" reported that Israel is expected to accept this request for the time being and leave action to the United States, which has recently begun a major military campaign against the Houthis.
On Thursday, the Houthis targeted the Tel Aviv and Jerusalem areas with missiles, in the first such attack in two months, but Israeli air defense systems successfully intercepted the missiles.
In an escalatory move, the United States launched new airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen. The strikes, which targeted the Al-Tuhayta district in Hodeidah governorate, hit sites belonging to the Iran-backed group. Local sources in Yemen said the attacks included 6 airstrikes Friday morning.
The Houthis had announced they would continue their attacks on ships linked to Israel in the Red Sea and on Israel itself, unless Israeli military operations against them stop and the prevention of aid to the Gaza Strip ends.
