Yemen-based Houthis — the last of Iran-backed groups still fully present in the regional war that began 14 months ago — are slowly escalating attacks on Israel with an eye to avoid full-out retaliation.

The Israeli military said the airstrikes targeted infrastructure that the Houthis have used to bring Iranian weapons and officials into Yemen.

Multiple air raids have hit several targets in rebel-held areas of Yemen, witnesses and the Iran-backed Houthi rebels said, with their media saying Israel launched the strikes.