The Israeli military announced early Sunday that it intercepted a missile fired from Yemen, mere hours after Israeli warplanes launched a series of strikes on several Houthi targets in the Arabian Peninsula country.
These Israeli airstrikes, a response to a deadly Houthi drone attack on Tel Aviv, mark the first known Israeli retaliation against repeated Houthi assaults during its nine-month conflict with Hamas. The recent surge in hostilities between these distant adversaries has escalated tensions, as Israel contends with a series of Iranian proxies throughout the region.
Late Saturday, the Israeli army confirmed the airstrikes targeted the western Yemeni port city of Hodeidah, a significant Houthi stronghold and essential entry point for aid and other supplies. The airstrikes, involving dozens of aircraft, including U.S.-made F-15 and F-35 warplanes, were described as a response to numerous Houthi attacks.
The Health Ministry in Yemen reported that the Israeli strikes killed six people and injured 83 others, many suffering severe burns from a major fire. Additionally, three individuals were reported missing, as stated in a broadcast by the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV.
Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulslam condemned the strikes on social media platform X, labeling them as “blatant Israeli aggression” aimed at fuel storage facilities and the province’s power station.
Abdul-Malek al-Houthi, a leader among the rebels, indicated that the Israeli airstrikes specifically targeted elements crucial to Yemen’s economy, suggesting an economic warfare strategy.
The Israeli military also confirmed that a surface-to-surface missile fired from Yemen on Sunday was intercepted before reaching Israeli territory.
Meanwhile, health officials in Yemen have stated that the airstrikes resulted in multiple casualties, although further details were not provided.
The ongoing conflict has drawn significant international attention, with the U.S., U.K., and other Western allies joining forces in the region. Israeli defenses have intercepted the majority of Houthi missiles and drones. Early Friday, a Houthi drone managed to strike Tel Aviv, killing one person and injuring several others.
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