‘Our Fingers are on the Trigger’: Houthi Leader Warns Israel of Renewed Attacks

Latest Developments

Houthis Ready to Resume Attacks: The leader of the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen warned on February 11 that the group was prepared to resume its attacks on Israel. “Our fingers are on the trigger, and we are ready to respond immediately if the Zionist regime intensifies its attacks on Gaza,” Abdul Malik al-Houthi declared in a televised speech that was reported extensively by Iranian state media outlets. Al-Houthi also attacked President Donald Trump’s proposal to resettle Palestinian residents of Gaza outside the coastal enclave, claiming that Washington’s goal is “to seize Islamic holy places; not only Al-Aqsa Mosque, but Mecca and Medina are also part of this U.S.-Zionist project.” He added that the “current stage must be a stage of Arab and Islamic unity. This is an opportunity for the Arab countries to say ‘No to America’ and to get out of the house of American obedience.”

Trump Highlights ‘Severity of the Situation’: Al-Houthi’s bombastic comments came as a February 15 deadline set by Trump for the release of Israeli hostages held captive in Gaza by Hamas draws closer. A readout from Trump’s meeting with visiting Jordanian King Abdullah II on February 11 noted that the president had “reiterated that Hamas must release all hostages, including all Americans, by Saturday, and asked for the King’s assistance in ensuring that Hamas, as well as the leaders of the region, understand the severity of the situation.”

Houthis Redesignated as Foreign Terrorist Organization: In the wake of the October 7, 2023, atrocities committed by Hamas in Israel, Houthi attacks have caused severe disruption to international shipping in the Red Sea. The group has also launched dozens of drone and missile attacks against Israel in “solidarity” with its Hamas ally, the vast majority of which have been safely intercepted by the IDF. On January 22, Trump issued an executive order reclassifying the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization. The order observed that the Houthis’ “activities threaten the security of American civilians and personnel in the Middle East, the safety of our closest regional partners, and the stability of global maritime trade.”

FDD Expert Response

“The Iran-backed Houthis became a significant actor in the war, a development that caught most Middle East pundits off guard. Notably, the group demonstrated that it could successfully carry out drone and missile attacks against Israeli territory located over 1,000 miles away. Compared to other Iran-backed terrorist groups that were heavily involved in the war, the Houthis did not suffer extensive damage to its infrastructure and leadership. Nevertheless, the Yemen-based group has proven itself to be a legitimate threat, and decision-makers in Jerusalem should heed warnings that the Houthis will resume striking Israel if conflicts erupt in Gaza.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

“The Houthis may have stopped their attacks in recent weeks, but the terror group has not forgotten the war. Recently, the Houthis held a military parade in Hodeidah governorate in Yemen in which they said that 8,000 men had graduated from ‘Al-Aqsa Flood’ courses named in honor of the October 7 atrocities committed by Hamas. Al-Houthi’s enthusiasm for resuming attacks on Israel underlines the importance of effectively deterring his group.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow