Israel strikes Yemen, vowing to reach Houthi leaders

Israel's "long hand" will reach the leaders of Yemen's Houthi movement, Defence Minister Israel Katz vowed, after unleashing air strikes on several areas of the Arab country.

The Israeli air strikes killed nine people, said Al Masirah TV, the main television news outlet run by the Iran-aligned Houthis, who control much of the country, seven in the port of Salif and two in the Ras Issa oil facility, both in the western province of Hodeidah.

The strikes also targeted two central power stations south and north of the capital, Sanaa, it said.

"I warn the leaders of the Houthi terrorist organisation: Israel's long hand will reach you as well," Katz said in a post on X.

"Whoever raises a hand against the state of Israel, his hand will be cut off; whoever harms, will be harmed sevenfold."

Israel's military said it "conducted precise strikes on Houthi military targets in Yemen, including ports and energy infrastructure in Sanaa", adding the targets struck were used by Houthi forces for military purposes.

Earlier on Thursday, the Israeli military said it had intercepted a missile launched from Yemen.

Iran-aligned Houthi militants have launched attacks on international shipping near Yemen since last November, in solidarity with Palestinians in Israel's war with Hamas.