In a significant escalation, Israeli fighter jets bombed key sites in the Houthi-controlled Yemeni port city of Hodeidah on Saturday. This strike was a direct retaliation for a deadly drone attack launched by the Iran-backed Houthis, which hit Tel Aviv the previous day, killing one person and wounding several others.

The Israeli airstrikes targeted a power station and gas and oil depots, marking the first public military response by Israel to the Houthis. Israeli military spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari stated that the operation was “one of the farthest and longest ever conducted by the Israeli air force.” He emphasized that the port of Hodeidah serves as a critical conduit for Iranian weapon supplies to the Houthis, who have launched over 200 missiles and drones at Israel in recent months.

The Hodeidah port is also a vital entry point for food and oil, crucial for the survival of two-thirds of Yemen’s population living under Houthi control. The Ministry of Health in Houthi-controlled Sana reported that at least 80 people were injured in the attack, with many suffering severe burns.

Houthi spokesman Yahya Sarea vowed continued attacks against Israel, framing them as support for Palestinians in Gaza, where the conflict between Israel and Hamas has persisted for ten months. “We will not stop our operations in support of our brothers in Gaza, whatever the consequences,” Sarea declared.

The drone attack on Tel Aviv, claimed by the Houthis, appeared to have precipitated the Israeli strikes. Israel is concurrently engaged in conflicts with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, both backed by Iran. Despite these multi-front tensions, the Israeli military indicated that it does not anticipate an immediate escalation, advising the public to continue their daily routines.

The ongoing conflict in Yemen, exacerbated by years of civil war, faces a worsening humanitarian crisis. The damage from the airstrikes is expected to lead to severe fuel shortages, impacting essential services like hospital generators.

The United States, which has previously designated the Houthis as a terrorist group, stated it was not involved in the Saturday strikes but affirmed Israel’s right to self-defense.