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Israel is reportedly preparing a 'major' military strike inside Yemen, targeting Houthi leaders in response to the ongoing missile and drone attacks, the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported on Thursday, shortly before reports emerged of an Israeli military attack on the airport of the Yemeni capital Sana'a.

The escalation follows a week of continued missile launches by the Houthis against Israel, including a recent hypersonic ballistic strike on Tel Aviv. 

The Houthis have repeatedly launched missiles at Israel since the war in Gaza began more than a year ago, saying this is in solidarity with the Palestinians.

According to Yedioth Ahronoth, the Israeli government, alongside the United States, could be considering an intensified military response after US President-elect Donald Trump assumes office in January 2025. 

A source told the newspaper that "the possibility of carrying out a major attack on Yemeni territory is being raised in the talks with the Americans," noting "there is great coordination between the two parties, and in Washington they understand the need to intensify the attacks".

The same source added that "the prevailing belief in Israel is that another attack will not solve the problem, and therefore the need for a radical and profound change remains".

Israeli officials are said to be coordinating closely with Washington, which reportedly shares the view that increased action is necessary.

The Israeli military has already launched several strikes against Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, with Air Force Commander Tomer Bar stating that Israel will continue to escalate its attacks as needed.

Despite these efforts, Israeli officials acknowledge that airstrikes alone will not solve the problem, and they are now looking toward more aggressive measures.

The Houthis, for their part, have raised the alert level across Yemen, including in the capital Sanaa, and prepared their medical facilities for potential Israeli strikes.

They continue to launch missiles at Israeli targets, with the latest strike hitting a military facility in the Jaffa area of Tel Aviv.

In July, a Houthi drone attack on Tel Aviv killed an Israeli civilian, prompting retaliatory strikes on the Yemeni port of Hodeidah.

The Houthis have also regularly targeted shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, leading to retaliatory strikes by US and sometimes British forces.

Israel’s increasing military pressure on Yemen is aligned with its broader regional strategy, which includes confronting Iran, a key backer of the Houthi rebels.

The Trump administration is also expected to impose severe sanctions on the Houthis once it assumes office.