Gaza, Lebanon, Syria— and Now Yemen: Israel Opens a Fourth Front

International News: The Yemeni capital, Sana’a, was rocked by multiple blasts on Sunday after Israeli warplanes carried out a series of strikes. According to local security sources, the bombardment hit locations near the Presidential Palace as well as military facilities believed to house missile systems. Reports from residents described the city sky filling with smoke following the afternoon assault.

Widening the Battlefield

The strike in Yemen marks a dramatic extension of Israel’s military operations, which have already stretched from Gaza into Lebanon and Syria in recent months. With Sana’a now included in the conflict map, analysts warn that the spiral of escalation could soon pull in Iran — a nation long accused by Israel of backing the Houthis. Some observers argue that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is attempting to pre-empt Western countries from granting Palestine statehood recognition in September by forcing a broader confrontation in the region.

Civilian Areas Struck, Hodeidah Also Targeted

Witnesses in Sana’a reported that a municipal building in the city center was heavily damaged, with casualties feared. Meanwhile, the western port city of Hodeidah — critical for Yemen’s food and fuel imports — was also struck, raising concerns of further humanitarian strain in a country already devastated by years of war.

Response to Houthi Missile Fire

Israeli officials justified the attack as retaliation for a missile launched by Houthi fighters toward Israel on Friday. Investigators said the projectile carried a cluster-type warhead, which they described as the first instance of such weaponry being used by the Houthis against Israeli territory.

Two Years of Disruption in the Red Sea

Houthi forces have repeatedly drawn global attention for disrupting maritime traffic in the Red Sea, a shipping corridor handling trade worth nearly one trillion dollars annually. Between late 2023 and the end of 2024, more than a hundred ships were targeted with drones and rockets. These actions prompted widespread rerouting of vessels, inflating global transport costs and threatening supply chains.

U.S. Airstrikes and an Uneasy Pause

The United States has previously intervened against Houthi operations, with heavy bombardments carried out under former President Donald Trump. A temporary arrangement announced in May this year suggested Washington would suspend strikes if Houthi forces refrained from targeting international shipping. Yet, the group openly stated that this understanding did not restrict them from confronting Israel or its allies.