Israel Conducts Airstrikes on Houthi Positions in Yemen Following Cluster Bomb Deployment

Amid ongoing hostilities, Israel intensified its military response by undertaking airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen following the group’s missile attack which allegedly utilized cluster bombs. The attack in question, carried out on Friday, saw Israel striking a military complex that included significant infrastructure like a presidential palace, fuel depots, and power plants. Reports indicate that four individuals lost their lives and around 67 sustained injuries as a result of Israel's retaliatory strikes.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) responded to this unprecedented use of cluster munitions—which are banned in over 100 nations—by targeting facilities they deemed critical to the Houthi military apparatus. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz supervised the military operation, emphasizing Israel's commitment to retaliate against any threats. The Houthis, who have held control in much of north-western Yemen since 2014, have been increasingly involved in regional conflicts, allegedly acting in solidarity with Palestinians against Israel. The recent use of cluster munitions has raised alarms, as these weapons pose a substantial risk to civilian populations, with many bomblets failing to detonate upon impact and potentially causing harm in the future.

As regional hostilities heighten, the situation remains fluid, underscoring the complex interactions of various state and non-state actors contributing to the ongoing strife in Yemen and beyond.