On December 21, 2024, an Israeli newspaper reported that Tel Aviv is focusing on targeting seven key leaders of the Houthi group, which is internationally designated as a terrorist organization.

According to Israel Hayom, reviewed by "Barran Press," the primary target is Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, who has led the Houthi movement in northern Yemen since 2004, following the assassination of his brother, Hussein.

The report lists other targeted figures, including Mahdi al-Mashat, the head of the Houthi political council; Defense Minister Mohammed al-Atofi; Navy Commander Mohammed Fadel Abdul Nabi; and Coastal Defense Commander Mohammed Ali al-Qadri.

Additionally, the list includes the group's procurement officer, Mohammed Ahmed al-Talabi; military spokesperson Yahya Saree; and Iran’s operational supervisor for the Houthis in Yemen, Abdul-Ridha Shahlaei, also known as "Hajj Yusuf."

On the same day, a Houthi military spokesman claimed responsibility for a successful ballistic missile strike on an Israeli military facility in Tel Aviv. This comes just two days after the Houthis announced that nine people were killed in 12 airstrikes attributed to Israel targeting the capital, Sana'a, and the Red Sea port city of Hudaydah.

Since October, the Houthi group has intensified attacks with missiles and drones aimed at occupied Palestinian territories and commercial shipping in the Red and Arabian Seas.