Jerusalem, May 8 (UNI) Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned on Thursday that the Houthis in Yemen will "suffer heavy blows" if they continue to fire at Israel.

Katz said that Israel's forces are "prepared for any mission".

Katz accused the Iranian leadership of funding and arming the Houthis. "The era of proxies is over, and the axis of evil has collapsed," he said.

He said Tehran bears "direct responsibility", and warned, "what we did to Hezbollah in Beirut, to Hamas in Gaza, to Assad in Damascus, and the Houthis in Yemen -- we will do to you as well in Tehran."

The Houthi forces, who control much of northern Yemen, have been targeting Israel and the Israel-linked shipping since November 2023, citing solidarity with the Palestinians. The attacks later expanded to targeting U.S. ships.

On Tuesday, the United States and Houthis agreed to an Oman-mediated deal to cease trading attacks after weeks of air strikes.

However, the Houthi group claimed it would continue launching attacks against Israel until Israel ends its offensive in Gaza and lifts the blockade against Palestinians.

On Wednesday, the Houthis claimed they had launched fresh drone attacks towards Israel, though no damage was reported.

The attacks came a day after Israeli Air Forces severely damaged the Houthi-held Sanaa International Airport and Hodeidah port on the Red Sea in a series of deadly airstrikes.

UNI/XINHUA ANV RN