IRIA News

The escalating conflict between Israel and Yemen’s Houthi group took a deadly turn after 6 fatalities were reported in Hodeidah following an Israeli aerial strike on July 20, 2024. The strikes came one day after a Houthi drone attack killed one person and injured ten others in Tel Aviv.

The Israeli military confirmed the airstrikes on Hodeidah, a crucial port city in Yemen controlled by the Houthi group. The Yemeni Ministry of Health reported that six people were killed and 87 wounded, many suffering severe burns due to the Israeli strikes. The attacks targeted oil storage facilities and a power plant, according to Houthi-affiliated Al Masirah TV, igniting significant fires and causing substantial damage to public infrastructure.

The air raids by Israel followed a Houthi drone attack on Tel Aviv, which was unprecedented in its success. One day before the aerial strikes by Israel, Houthi military spokesman General Yahya Saree announced in a televised address that the group had attacked the Israeli port city of Eilat with ballistic missiles. Saree claimed the operation “achieved its goals successfully,” although Israeli defense systems intercepted the missile.

The Houthis also claimed responsibility for attacking the MV Pumba, a Liberia-flagged container ship, in the Red Sea. The attack reportedly involved ballistic missiles and drones, causing damage to the vessel.

Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a Houthi spokesman, asserted that Israel’s attack on civilian establishments in Yemen warranted a severe response. “When we took part in this war, we understood there might be sacrifices and losses, but our stand is just and ethical and will never stop until the Zionist entity stops its crimes in Gaza,” he said.

Regional reactions

The escalating conflict between Israel and Houthis has drawn strong reactions from various regional actors. Hamas condemned the Israeli assault on Hodeidah, with Izzat al-Rishq, a member of its political bureau, stating that the “mounting Zionist crimes will change the entire equation.” Hezbollah also voiced support for the Houthis, describing the Israeli attack as a “new, dangerous phase in the confrontation at the level of the entire region.”

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant defended the air raids, emphasizing that the strikes were a direct response to the Houthi attacks. “The fire that is currently burning in Hodeidah is seen across the Middle East and the significance is clear,” Gallant said. “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.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated this stance, stating that the port of Hodeidah was a conduit for Iranian weapons to the Houthis. “The strike, some 1,800 km from Israel’s borders, is a reminder to our enemies that there is no place Israel could not reach,” he declared.

The airstrikes have further intensified the already dire humanitarian crisis in Yemen. The Houthis, who align themselves with Iran and present themselves as Yemen’s official armed forces, have been intensifying their attacks on shipping lanes in the Red Sea. Their campaign aims to pressure Israel to cease its military actions in Gaza, which have resulted in the deaths of over 38,900 Palestinians.

International Response

The international community is closely monitoring the situation. The United States and the United Kingdom, which have been conducting airstrikes in Yemen in response to Houthi assaults in the Red Sea, distanced themselves from the Israeli action. The U.S. explicitly stated that it was not involved in the Israeli strike.

As the conflict continues to unfold, the potential for further escalation remains high, with significant implications for regional stability and international security. The situation underscores the intricate web of alliances and enmities that define the Middle East’s geopolitical landscape, where local conflicts often have far-reaching consequences.