The Israeli army conducted airstrikes on several Houthi targets in western Yemen, following a fatal Houthi drone attack in Tel Aviv, marking Israel’s first strikes on Yemeni soil since the Israel-Hamas conflict began in October, AP News reports.
Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated the attacks targeted military sites in the port city of Hodeidah and were a response to “hundreds of attacks” by the Houthis on Israel. The strikes resulted in 80 people being wounded, many with severe burns, and caused significant damage to fuel storage facilities and a power station, according to Yemen’s Ministry of Health.
The Houthi drone attack in Tel Aviv killed one person and injured at least ten others near the US Embassy. Israel’s military acknowledged an air defense failure in intercepting the drone. Analysts doubt the Houthis’ capability to breach Israel’s defenses from a distance of 1,000 miles.
In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 13 people in refugee camps. Among the casualties were children and a woman whose live baby was delivered posthumously. The Gaza conflict has resulted in over 38,900 deaths and widespread humanitarian crises. Hamas’ initial attack in October killed 1,200 people in Israel and took 250 hostages, with around 120 still in captivity.
