The launch of a missile with a cluster warhead toward Israel last Friday marked a clear escalation by the Houthis. Israel’s response on Sunday, however — strikes on the abandoned presidential palace in Sanaa, a fuel depot and power stations — fell short of shifting the equation.
The Houthis remain undeterred, fully aware they present a persistent challenge to Israel. This challenge will not be solved by routine air raids. It demands a decisive move that changes the rules of the game and shakes the Iran-backed rebel group from within.
The Houthis have been firing missiles and drones at Israel since the beginning of the war, and they never miss a chance to claim responsibility — even for launches that never reached Israeli skies. Their spokesman, Yahya Saree, routinely boasts about what was fired and at which target. On Friday, he declared a Palestine 2 missile had been launched at Ben Gurion Airport, along with two drones aimed at military and “vital” targets in Tel Aviv and Ashkelon. At first, this sounded like standard Houthi rhetoric. Only later, after reports from Yemen and IDF analysis, did it become clear: the missile carried a cluster warhead, signaling a dangerous escalation.
Israel hit back two days later. Houthis responded instantly online and on airwaves, accusing Israel of targeting civilian facilities and vowing their campaign would not stop until “the aggression against Gaza ends and the siege is lifted.” Senior Houthi leaders escalated the threats. Houthi spokesman Nasruddin Amer wrote on X: “From now on, expect our missiles and drones.” Mohammed al-Bukhaiti added: “Israeli strikes in Yemen will not deter us, no matter the sacrifice.” Almasirah TV, their mouthpiece, amplified the message with interviews rallying supporters. The strikes did not shake the organization — if anything, they reinforced its narrative.
The Haziz power station in Sanaa, one of Sunday’s targets, had already been struck multiple times. Yemeni sources confirm little remains there worth hitting. As for the presidential palace, a Yemeni security official aligned with the internationally recognized government in Aden put it bluntly: “The palace is rubble. The Houthis left years ago. Hitting it again is a failed strategy. Go after the leadership — not ruins.”
The Houthis are signaling that more advanced weapons could soon be introduced, especially if the war in Gaza drags on. They threaten it openly. Israel must take these threats at face value and respond with creativity and resolve. Striking empty buildings will not break the Houthis; targeting the core of their leadership and infrastructure just might.