There are signs that the conflict between Israel and Iran-backed Houthi militias is intensifying. The Houthis responded with threats to Israel’s retaliatory attack on the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah. A military spokesman said the militants would not hesitate to attack “critical targets” in Israel. Hudi. They are preparing for a “long war” with Israel. A member of the Houthis’ politburo also threatened that Israel would “pay the price” for its attacks. He spoke of “Israel’s brutal aggression”.
The Houthis carried out a drone strike in central Tel Aviv on Friday night. A residential building was hit. One person died and many others were injured. Many buildings were damaged. Israel It attacked the Houthi-held port of Hodeidah shortly after declaring retaliation for the attack. Israel responded to “hundreds of attacks on Israel in recent months”.
The Houthi-controlled health ministry said 80 people were wounded in the Israeli attack, most of them with “severe burns”. There have been conflicting reports on whether there were any casualties. Independent verification of the information is not yet possible.
Images on social media showed a huge fire at the port, with high flames and a dark plume of smoke in the sky.
Israel attacked Hodeida without allies
According to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Houthi militia-held port serves as a gateway for Iranian arms supplies. This sector is also used for military purposes. The attack reminds Israel’s enemies that there is no place Israel can’t reach.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz also described the attack as a warning to Iran. He said Israel’s military “dealt a heavy blow to Iran’s terrorist wing in Yemen today”. Katz called on the international community to “maximize” sanctions against Iran.
According to state media, the Iranian Foreign Ministry condemned the Israeli attack and warned of the escalation and spread of war in the region. Lebanon’s Iranian regime-backed Hezbollah also condemned the attack, calling it a “foolish move”. The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel has been escalating for months.
A port of strategic importance
Contrary to some media reports from Saudi Arabia and Yemen, the Israeli side said the attack on Hodeidah was carried out alone. Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said allies such as the United States and Britain were not involved.
The port on the Red Sea is of strategic importance. Yemen has been experiencing years of civil war and a severe humanitarian crisis. 80 percent of Yemenis depend on humanitarian aid. According to the UN, 70 percent of all imports and 80 percent of all humanitarian aid enter the country through the port of Hudaydah on the Red Sea.
There are signs that the conflict between Israel and Iran-backed Houthi militias is intensifying. The Houthis responded with threats to Israel’s retaliatory attack on the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah. A military spokesman said the militants would not hesitate to attack “critical targets” in Israel. Hudi. They are preparing for a “long war” with Israel. A member of the Houthis’ politburo also threatened that Israel would “pay the price” for its attacks. He spoke of “Israel’s brutal aggression”.