Israeli warplanes struck the Houthi-controlled Yemeni port of Hodeida, killing three people and injuring 87, according to Iran-backed rebel sources. The attack occurred following a deadly drone strike on Tel Aviv attributed to the Houthis. The assault on the strategic port ignited a fire, sending plumes of black smoke into the air, marking the first time Israel has claimed strikes in Yemen, approximately 2,000 kilometers away.The blood of Israeli citizens has a price, declared Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, warning of further operations against the Houthis should they continue their assaults. Gallant emphasized that the Hodeida strike served as a warning to other Iran-backed groups in the region who have launched attacks on Israel during the Gaza conflict. The fire that is currently burning in Hodeida is seen across the Middle East, and the significance is clear, he stated.Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed Gallants warning in a televised address, asserting, Anyone who harms us will pay a very heavy price for their aggression.Details of the airstrikeThe Israeli military confirmed that F-15 jets executed the airstrike, with all aircraft returning safely to base. Military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari accused the Houthis of using Hodeida as a primary supply route for Iranian weapons, similar to the drone used in the Tel Aviv attack.The rebel-run health ministry reported that most of the injured had severe burns. Al-Masirah television, a Houthi-run station, aired footage of casualties being treated in hospitals.International reactions and further threatsTop Houthi official Mohammed Abdulsalam condemned the brutal Israeli aggression and accused Israel of targeting fuel storage facilities and a power plant to pressure Yemen into ceasing its support for Palestinians in Gaza. An AFP correspondent in Hodeida confirmed hearing several large explosions and seeing smoke over the port.In response to the strikes, Houthi politburo member Mohammed al-Bukhaiti threatened retaliation, stating that the Zionist entity will pay the price for targeting civilian facilities, and we will meet escalation with escalation.Hezbollah, the Houthis ally in Lebanon, also condemned the Israeli attack, calling it a foolish step and warning of a new, dangerous phase in the ongoing conflict.Impact on humanitarian effortsHodeida port is a crucial entry point for imports and international aid to rebel-held areas of Yemen. The attack has raised concerns about exacerbating the already dire food security and humanitarian situation in northern Yemen. Traders now fear that this will worsen the critical food security and humanitarian situation in northern Yemen, as the majority of trade flows through this port, said Mohammed Albasha, a senior Middle East analyst for the US-based Navanti Group.US and UN responsesThe United States denied any involvement in the strikes, with a National Security Council spokesman affirming Israels right to self-defense while emphasizing that the US did not coordinate or assist in the operation. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for maximum restraint to prevent further regional escalation.As the conflict continues to unfold, the international community remains on edge, closely monitoring the situation for any further developments.
