- Israel strikes Houthis after drone attack
- Airstrikes hit the Houthi-controlled port of Hodeidah in Yemen, following a drone attack on Tel Aviv by the group
- Houthi media reported that the strikes killed three people and injured over 80
- A Houthi official claimed that Israel’s attacks aimed to pressure the Houthis into ceasing support for Palestinians in
Israel strikes Houthis after drone attack
Israel launched airstrikes on the Houthi-controlled port of Hodeidah in Yemen, following a drone attack on Tel Aviv by the group. Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said that the strikes were meant to send a strong message to the Houthis. “The fire that is currently burning in Hodeidah, is seen across the Middle East and the significance is clear,” he said.
Houthi media reported that the strikes killed three people and injured over 80. Houthi official Mohammed Abdulsalam condemned the attack as “brutal Israeli aggression against Yemen.”
On Sunday morning, Israel’s military intercepted a missile from Yemen before it entered Israeli airspace. Air sirens were also triggered in Eilat due to potential falling debris.
Abdulsalam claimed that Israel’s attacks aimed to pressure the Houthis into ceasing support for Palestinians in Gaza, a move he stated would not succeed.
This marks the first time Israel has directly responded to alleged Yemeni drone and missile attacks. Footage from Hodeidah showed large fires, with reports indicating that Israel targeted oil storage facilities and a nearby power plant.
‘Houthis attacked us over 200 times’
In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said: “After nine months of continuous aerial attacks by the Houthis in Yemen toward Israel, IAF [Israeli Air Force] fighter jets conducted an extensive operational strike over 1,800km [1,118 miles) away against Houthi terrorist military targets” in the area of the port of Hodeidah.
“The IDF is capable of operating anywhere required and will strike any force that endangers Israelis,” the statement said, adding that Saturday’s operation was codenamed Outstretched Arm.
Gallant said the Israeli jets had struck the group because they had harmed Israelis.
“The Houthis attacked us over 200 times. The first time that they harmed an Israeli citizen, we struck them. And we will do this in any place where it may be required,” he said.