Israeli Air Force drops 65 munitions on Houthi terrorists in Yemen in largest strikes yet
Strikes estimated to have killed dozens of terrorists, destroyed drones
The Israeli Air Force (IAF) carried out its largest-ever strikes on Houthi terrorist targets in Yemen after the group launched a drone that hit the southern city of Eilat, injuring at least 20 Israelis.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz had warned the Houthis after the attack, saying that they “refuse to learn from Iran, Lebanon and Gaza – and they will learn the hard way. Those who harm Israel will be harmed sevenfold.”
On Thursday evening, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the strikes on Yemen while traveling aboard the Wing of Zion plane en route to Washington, his office announced. According to the statement, “The attack focused on Houthi command centers and war material depots in Sanaa.”
IDF officials told Israeli media outlets they believe the strikes killed dozens of Houthi terrorists and destroyed several warehouses storing drones.
Prime Minister Netanyahu ordered the attack against the Houthis from the Wing of Zion national executive jet - the Israeli equivalent of Air Force One. pic.twitter.com/zzwokr4qlF
— Israel News Pulse (@israelnewspulse) September 25, 2025
Approximately 20 fighter jets took part in the strikes, dropping over 65 munitions on five command centers and two weapons depots. Because of the long-range nature of the mission, the IAF conducted several aerial refueling operations.
“We have now delivered a powerful strike on numerous terror targets of the Houthi terror organization in Sana'a as part of Operation ‘Passing Package,’” Katz said following the strikes.
“Air Force aircraft attacked several military camps, including a camp of the Houthi General Staff, eliminated dozens of Houthi terror operatives, and destroyed stockpiles of UAVs and weaponry. As I promised yesterday – whoever harms us will be harmed sevenfold.”
The strikes coincided with a televised speech by Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi but did not appear to target him directly.
Ynet News cited a local source in Sanaa who reported two missiles targeting the same site where large parts of the Houthi government were killed last month.
“My house shook and people here are terrified,” the source said. “The strike happened at the very moment the Houthi leader began his speech.”
According to Houthi authorities, at least nine people were killed and over 170 injured in strikes.
The IDF explained: “The security and intelligence apparatus is one of the internal security mechanisms of the Houthi terrorist regime; it takes part in terrorist activities and directly contributes to military actions against the State of Israel that undermine stability in the Middle East. The security and intelligence apparatus is also involved in repressing regime opponents through the use of political prisons and torture.”
The military camps that were targeted were used to store weapons and to plan and execute terrorist attacks against Israel, the IDF reported.
“The Houthi terrorist regime operates under Iranian direction and funding, in order to harm the State of Israel and its allies. The regime exploits the maritime domain to project force and carry out terror activity against the global shipping and trade routes,” the IDF noted.
In a televised statement, IDF Spokesman Brig.-Gen. Effie Defrin added, “We will continue to act in response to the Houthi regime’s attacks on Israeli civilians.”
“Yesterday, a UAV launched by the Houthis struck the city of Eilat and wounded civilians. Since the beginning of the war, we have intercepted more than 98% of UAVs launched from Yemen toward Israel. Our readiness remains high. I emphasize: the city of Eilat is safe and routine is maintained there. However, no defense is absolute.”
Later on Thursday evening, the Houthis launched a ballistic missile that triggered alarm sirens across central Israel, including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, before being intercepted.
Another launch failed, with the missile falling short of Israel without triggering any alarms.
The All Israel News Staff is a team of journalists in Israel.
