Israeli airstrikes targeted Houthi rebels in Yemen following a deadly attack on Tel Aviv claimed by the Iran-backed group. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated, “A short while ago, IDF fighter jets struck military targets of the Houthi terrorist regime in the area of the Al Hudaydah [Hodeidah] Port in Yemen in response to the hundreds of attacks carried out against the state of Israel in recent months.”
The IDF’s statement came shortly after Houthi-run Al Masirah TV reported airstrikes targeting oil facilities in the western port of Hodeidah, resulting in deaths and injuries. Houthi spokesperson Mohammed Abdulsalam confirmed that the Israeli strikes hit oil tanks and a power station. He condemned the attack, stating, “A brutal Israeli aggression against Yemen by targeting civilian facilities, oil tanks, and the power station in Hodeidah aims to increase the suffering of the people of Yemen.” Abdulsalam also criticized the pressure on Yemen to cease its support of Gaza.
The strikes on Hodeidah occurred a day after a drone attack in Tel Aviv, which killed one man and injured at least 10 others. The Houthis claimed the attack as a response to Israel’s war in Gaza, with a spokesperson highlighting that the operation was conducted using a new drone capable of “bypassing the enemy’s interception systems.”
While the Houthis have previously targeted shipping in solidarity with Gaza, this marked the first instance of Israel striking Yemen. In contrast, both the UK and the US have conducted strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen in response to similar attacks on shipping. For instance, in May, US-UK airstrikes in Hodeidah targeting Houthi rebels resulted in at least 16 deaths and 35 injuries, marking the fifth round of coalition strikes against the Houthis.
The escalation highlights the growing regional tensions and the far-reaching impact of the conflict between Israel and Gaza, drawing in actors from across the Middle East.
