Ambassador Danny Danon gives the Houthis a final warning in the UN (video clip)

Israel Warns Houthis: Halt Missile Attacks or Face Severe Retaliation

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The Judean Staff
National

Israel has issued an unequivocal ultimatum to Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militants: cease missile attacks or face severe consequences akin to the fates of Hamas, Hezbollah, and Syria’s Bashar al-Assad regime. In a stark address to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Monday, Israel presented a compelling case for a decisive response to the Houthis, labeling them as a significant threat not only to regional stability but to the entire global order.

A “Terrorist Army” Waging War Against Peace

Israeli Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon took center stage at the UNSC, condemning the Houthis as more than a mere regional nuisance. He described them as a well-armed terrorist army with an annual budget exceeding $1.2 billion, backed by Iran’s sophisticated military and financial networks. According to Danon, the Houthis are integral to Tehran’s broader “war against peace,” targeting the global economy by jeopardizing critical trade routes like the Suez Canal and the Red Sea.

“The Houthis are not just Iran’s pawns—they are the sharp edge of a campaign to destabilize the world order,” Danon declared. “Their attacks on commercial shipping and their reckless missile barrages represent an assault on all who value peace and stability.”

A Final Warning to the Houthis

Addressing the militants directly, Danon issued a chilling ultimatum: “Perhaps you have not been paying attention to what has happened to the Middle East over the past year. Allow me to remind you of the fate that has befallen Hamas, Hezbollah, and Assad—all who dared to challenge Israel. Let this be your final warning. This is not a threat. It is a promise. Continue your attacks, and you will share their miserable fate.”

Israel’s Commitment to Self-Defense

Danon emphasized that Israel would not wait for international bodies to act. “We have had enough,” he stated. “Israel will not stand idly by while our citizens live under the constant threat of missile fire. The Houthis are no longer a regional problem; they are a global menace, and we will act accordingly.”

He also sent a strong message to Tehran, asserting that Israel has the capability to strike any target in West Asia, including within Iran itself. “We will not tolerate attacks by Iranian proxies, and we will not hesitate to respond.”

Escalating Attacks and a Nation’s Resolve

The Houthis have launched over 300 missile attacks on Israel in 2024 alone, disrupting daily life for millions of Israelis. While the Iron Dome and David’s Sling have intercepted the majority of these missiles, the psychological toll has been profound. Residents are frequently awakened by air raid sirens, with many describing the experience as both terrifying and infuriating.

“Waking up in the dead of night to the sound of sirens is something no one should endure, it is not 'normal' for people living in a developed western nation,” said a resident of the central Israeli city of Modi’in. “Yet, we’ve been living under this threat for decades. To us, this is the norm and it is a tragedy that this is how we have come to look at our situation. If Paris, Madrid, or London faced such attacks regularly, I can guarantee the global community would view Israel’s actions differently and the plethora of anti-Israel discourse in the United Nations would stop.”

Houthis Double Down

Despite Israel’s warnings, the Houthis remain defiant. Mohamed Ali al-Houthi, head of the group’s supreme revolutionary committee, stated, “The pounding of the Zionist entity continues, and our support for Gaza remains steadfast.” Other Houthi leaders have hinted at targeting Israeli nuclear sites, though experts doubt their capability to execute precision strikes.

Israel Urges Global Action

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has called for the international community to designate the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reinforced this stance, warning that Israel’s recent strikes on Houthi-linked targets in Yemen, including Sanaa airport and key infrastructure, were “just the beginning.”

Danon concluded with a stark warning for the UN and humanitarian organizations operating in Houthi-controlled areas: “We do not target NGOs or UN personnel, but we will not compromise our security. If you are near Houthi installations, take heed.”

The Stakes for Global Security

The Houthi threat transcends regional boundaries, endangering international trade routes and heightening global tensions. With Israel’s stern warnings and military actions intensifying, the world watches as this conflict edges closer to a breaking point. Whether the Houthis will heed Israel’s ultimatum or provoke further retaliation remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Israel will not allow its citizens to live under siege.

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