This story first appeared as today’s Israel briefing newsletter. You can sign up to receive it daily here.
Israel launched airstrikes yesterday on Houthi targets in Yemen, in retaliation for a ballistic missile that struck near Ben-Gurion Airport a day earlier. The IDF deployed 20 fighter jets to hit 50 sites linked to the Iranian-backed Houthi militants. Targets included Hodeidah port and a concrete factory in Bajil.
The IDF said the port had been used “for the transfer of Iranian weapons, equipment for military needs, and other terror purposes.” It called the Bajil site “an important economic resource” used “for building tunnels and military infrastructure for terrorist organisations.”
Houthi media reported at least 21 injuries. Iran responded with a direct warning. Its foreign minister said: “Netanyahu is trying to drag the United States into a war. We warn that any mistake against Iran’s interests will be met with a decisive response.” The Houthis described the Israeli and U.S. attacks as “Zionist-American aggression.”
Israel’s newly approved Gaza operation will involve “the complete occupation of the Strip,” Culture Minister Miki Zohar said yesterday. A close Netanyahu ally, Zohar defended the cabinet’s decision to expand ground operations despite the risks to hostages.
“Such a move endangers the hostages who remain in captivity. It does not improve their situation,” he said. “There is no choice left but a decisive outcome.” Zohar said the IDF would “cleanse the area, clear it of Hamas, and evacuate the population to where the terrorist organisation is no longer present.”
He added: “Then I hope there will be international organisations to distribute the required aid.”
He claimed the expanded campaign would trigger negotiations: “Hamas may quickly understand it has no choice but to return them and expel itself from Gaza.”
Some key points on the plans to expand operations:
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said: “We are finally going to occupy the Gaza Strip… no retreat from the territories we have conquered, not even in exchange for hostages.”
The army intends to transition from limited raids to sustained territorial control over central and southern Gaza. The plan includes razing built-up areas and displacing much of the civilian population, said military spokesperson Effie Defrin. Cleared zones will remain under Israeli hold using the “Rafah model,” based on earlier operations in the city’s east.
The goal is to pressure Hamas into accepting a hostage deal, a senior Israeli official told local media. The offensive will not begin until after Trump’s mid-May visit, regardless of whether a deal is reached, said a senior government source. If an agreement is secured beforehand, the plan may be suspended, an adviser to Netanyahu said.
Axios reported the plan could mark “a major new phase of the war,” citing sources who said it aims to shift from “temporary pressure” to “long-term dominance.” Thousands of IDF reservists have been called up in preparation, according to the IDF Spokesperson.
The IDF said the next phase would level buildings and relocate the majority of Gaza’s population, with secured areas held indefinitely. The military spokesperson, Effie Defrin, said: “The goal of the operation is the return of our hostages and the defeat of Hamas’s rule. These two goals are combined with each other… The offensive will include a wide-scale attack and the movement of the majority of the Strip’s population… and continued airstrikes, elimination of terrorists, and dismantling of infrastructure.”
Hostage families condemned the plan as politically motivated and dangerous. Anat Angrest, mother of hostage Matan, 22, said: “Now, a war is being waged out of a desire for revenge and occupation, not saving lives.” A protest was held outside Netanyahu’s office during the cabinet meeting.
Elsewhere, Israel struck Hezbollah weapons sites in Lebanon’s Beqaa Valley. The IDF said the facility had been rebuilt after a previous strike. It included production and storage infrastructure. Additional targets were hit in Srifa. The IDF cited “blatant violations” of security understandings.
An Iranian-made bomb was discovered at Kibbutz Alumim. Police believe Hamas planted it on October 7. It remained undetected for seven months and was neutralised on site. Police said it matched a second device recently found near Netivot.
Finally, Ecuador’s President Daniel Noboa visited the Western Wall with Netanyahu yesterday, wearing a hostage campaign pin. The trip, which focused on bilateral ties, concluded with joint statements on defence, cybersecurity cooperation, and the opening of a new diplomatic R&D centre in Jerusalem. Netanyahu said: “We are building a bridge between two brave democracies that stand against terror.” Noboa said: “We stand with Israel in the fight for peace and security.”
You can sign up to the JC’s Israel briefing here.
