Israeli airstrikes hit Yemeni port after drone attack

Retaliatory strike injuring 80; Houthis warn of "effective response"

HODEIDAH, YEMEN:

Israeli fighter jets targeted Houthi military sites in Yemen’s Hodeidah port on Saturday, a day after a drone launched by the Iranian-backed group struck Tel Aviv, Israel's economic hub.

The airstrikes, which hit oil facilities and a power station in Hodeidah, left at least 80 people wounded, most suffering from severe burns, according to Al-Masirah TV, the main news outlet run by Yemen's Houthi movement.

Hodeidah residents reported hearing explosions throughout the city during the intensive bombardment. Al-Masirah TV stated that civil defence forces and firefighters were working to extinguish fires in the port's oil tanks.

An Israeli military spokesperson claimed the port was used by the Houthis to receive weapons shipments from Iran. The airstrikes targeted dual-use sites, including energy infrastructure, more than 1,700 km (1,056 miles) from Israel. Israeli F-15 fighters carried out the strikes and returned safely.

In response, the Houthis’ Supreme Political Council warned of an "effective response" to the Israeli airstrikes. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree stated they "will not hesitate to strike vital targets of the Israeli enemy."

The strike on Yemen, following over 200 Houthi attacks on Israel, highlighted fears that the Gaza war, sparked by the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, could escalate into a regional conflict.

"The fire currently burning in Hodeidah is seen across the Middle East, and its significance is clear," said Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. "The Houthis attacked us over 200 times. The first time they harmed an Israeli citizen, we struck them. And we will do this wherever necessary."

On Friday, a long-range Iranian-made drone launched from Yemen hit central Tel Aviv, killing one man and wounding four others.

Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson, Nasser Kanaani, condemned the Israeli attacks, warning of increased regional tensions due to the "dangerous adventurism of the Zionists," as reported by Iranian state media.

Hezbollah also condemned the attack on Hodeidah, calling it "a foolish step... marking a new and dangerous phase in the ongoing confrontation."

Egypt, involved in efforts to broker a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal, expressed "great concern" over the Israeli strike.

The conflict began on October 7 when Hamas stormed Israeli towns, killing around 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages back to Gaza. Since then, nearly 39,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s assault on the Gaza Strip, according to local health authorities.