The Israel Air Force strike on Sanaa, Yemen, on Thursday was preceded by a ruse, according to IDF sources. Israel lulled the Houthi leaders into a false sense of security, making them think the Jewish state lacked credible intelligence on their location.
The IDF's range of targets against the Houthis is expected to continue to grow as time goes on, just as it did against Hezbollah and Iran.
Defense Minister Israel Katz hinted that Israel attempted to assassinate senior Houthi leaders and dubbed it a "strike on the firstborn." However, the security forces are still awaiting confirmation on the results of the strike.
The attack coincided with a speech given by Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, which was broadcast locally. They came following several days of the Houthis launching missiles at the Jewish state, all of which were intercepted by the IDF.
The Saudi Al-Hadath outlet reported that the attacks were aimed at Houthi targets in a neighborhood in the southwest of the city, with the IDF reportedly succeeding in hitting buildings where senior Houthi officials were hiding out. According to Israeli security sources speaking to Reuters, the officials had gathered to watch the speech.
Following IDF attacks on Sanaa several days ago, Katz warned that "after the strike of darkness, comes the strike on the firstborn. Anyone who raises a hand against Israel – their hand will be severed."
Israeli strikes on the presidential palace, power plants in Sanaa
On Sunday, Israeli fighter jets attacked Sanaa, striking Houthi military infrastructure in the city. The targets included a military compound housing the presidential palace, two power stations, and a fuel storage site.
Throughout the attack, Katz and IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir monitored events while speaking with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Houthis said on their affiliated TV channel that two were killed and 35 wounded in the attack four days ago.