The Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen has issued a new threat against Israel, warning that any continuation of military operations in Gaza will be met with attacks on the entire Israeli “enemy entity.” The statement, made in recent days, signals a potential escalation in the ongoing regional conflict, which has already drawn in multiple Iranian proxy groups.
“If the war returns to Gaza, we will intervene with support through various military means,” the Houthis declared, underscoring their growing role in Iran’s broader strategy of confronting Israel on multiple fronts.
Houthis’ Expanding Role in the Regional Conflict
The Houthis, officially known as Ansar Allah, have increasingly positioned themselves as a key player in Iran’s axis of proxy forces, which includes Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and various militias in Syria and Iraq. While traditionally focused on their own conflict in Yemen, the group has stepped up its involvement in the Israel-Hamas war, launching dozens of missiles and drones toward Israel since October 2023.
The latest statement suggests that the Houthis are prepared to intensify their attacks if Israel continues its military operations against Hamas.
Iran’s Proxy War Against Israel
The Houthis’ threat aligns with Iran’s larger objective of encircling Israel with hostile forces. Tehran has provided extensive financial and military support to its regional allies, enabling them to wage coordinated attacks on Israel from multiple directions. This strategy became evident during Operation True Promise on April 13, 2024, when Iran, along with Hezbollah, Iraqi militias, and the Houthis, launched an unprecedented missile and drone assault on Israel.
During the attack, Iran and its proxies fired more than 170 suicide drones, 120 ballistic missiles, and 30 cruise missiles at Israeli targets. Israel’s advanced air defense systems intercepted the vast majority of these threats, but the scale of the assault underscored the increasing danger posed by Iran’s regional network.
The Houthis have also targeted international shipping lanes in the Red Sea, attacking commercial vessels and threatening global trade. These actions, combined with their direct attacks on Israel, have led the United States and its allies to carry out retaliatory strikes against Houthi positions in Yemen.
A Multi-Front Defense
Israeli officials have made it clear that threats from the Houthis or any other Iranian proxy will not deter their military objectives. Following the Hamas-led massacre on October 7, Israel launched Operation Iron Swords, a campaign aimed at neutralizing Hamas and preventing future attacks on Israeli civilians. Despite international pressure, Israel has remained resolute in its mission to eliminate the terrorist group’s military capabilities.
“The idea that Israel should halt its operations against Hamas to appease a terrorist militia in Yemen is absurd,” a senior Israeli defense official stated. “Israel has successfully defended itself against Iran’s largest-ever missile attack, and it will continue to defend itself against Houthi aggression as well.”
The Israeli military, in coordination with its allies, has already neutralized multiple Houthi-launched drones and missiles. The IDF has also carried out preemptive strikes against Iranian-backed forces in Syria and Lebanon, ensuring that no single front gains the upper hand.
Global Implications and the Risk of Escalation
The Houthis’ threats further complicate an already volatile regional landscape. The ongoing conflict has placed Israel at the center of a seven-front war, facing hostilities from Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Iranian-backed militias in Syria and Iraq, and now the Houthis in Yemen.
Meanwhile, Iran continues to fund and arm its proxy forces, showing no signs of de-escalation. The United Nations has yet to issue a strong condemnation of Iran’s aggression, despite mounting evidence of its involvement in attacks across the region.
The United States, which has taken direct military action against the Houthis, has reaffirmed its commitment to Israel’s security. Washington has deployed additional military assets to the region, including naval forces in the Red Sea and missile defense systems to counter Iranian threats.
As tensions continue to rise, Israel remains steadfast in its mission: ensuring that Hamas is completely dismantled and that Iranian-backed threats—whether from Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, or Yemen—are neutralized.
With the Houthis now vowing greater involvement, the conflict shows no signs of de-escalating. Instead, Israel’s enemies appear to be doubling down on their efforts, making it clear that the war against Hamas is just one battle in a much larger struggle.
