Al-Masirah television, the main news channel run by Yemen's Houthi movement, quoted medical authorities as saying most of the injured suffered severe burns in airstrikes that targeted oil facilities and a power plant.
Hodeidah residents said they heard explosions across the city in a heavy bombardment. Al-Masirah TV reported that civil defense forces and firefighters were trying to extinguish fires in the port’s oil tanks. The targets were more than 1,700 kilometers (1,050 miles) from Israel.
Israeli airstrike in Hodeidah, Yemen on July 20, 2024. Photo: Houthi Media Center
Israel notified its allies before the attack, saying the attack was carried out by Israeli F-15 fighter jets and that all returned safely.
The Houthi Supreme Political Council said it would respond “effectively” to the airstrikes. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the Houthis “will not hesitate to attack the important targets of the Israeli enemy”.
The airstrike on Yemen, which Israeli officials said followed more than 200 Houthi attacks on Israel, underscored fears that the war in Gaza could escalate into a regional conflict.
“The fire burning in Hodeidah is now spreading across the Middle East and its severity is clear,” Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said in a statement.
"The Houthis have attacked us more than 200 times. The first time they harmed an Israeli citizen, we attacked them. And we will do this wherever necessary."
Israeli F15 fighter jets en route to conduct airstrikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen on July 20, 2024. Photo: Israeli Army
On Friday, a long-range drone launched from Yemen struck central Tel Aviv in an attack claimed by the Houthis, killing one person and wounding four others.
The attack comes after renewed fighting between Israel and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon and comes as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepares to travel to Washington, where he will address the US Congress.
Mr Netanyahu called on the international community to increase pressure on Iran and the forces it supports - Houthi, Hamas and Hezbollah.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani condemned the Israeli attacks and "warned of the risk of escalating tensions and spreading war in the region".
In a statement, Hezbollah also condemned the attack on Hodeidah, describing it as "marking a new and dangerous phase of the ongoing extremely serious confrontation".
The Houthis have carried out attacks on Israeli and Western targets in the region, particularly in the Red Sea, claiming they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
Egypt, which is trying to broker a ceasefire in Gaza and a hostage release deal, said it was watching “with great concern” the Israeli air strike.
Hoang Anh (according to Reuters, CNN)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/israel-khong-kich-dap-tra-houthi-o-yemen-tinh-hinh-trung-dong-them-nghiem-trong-post304281.html
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