Dim Amor

The strike, approved in a secret cabinet meeting, caused significant damage and, according to local reports, resulted in numerous casualties and injuries.

IDF Spokesperson, Brigadier General Daniel Hagari, confirmed the attack and stated: "IDF fighter jets recently struck targets used for military purposes by the Houthi terrorist regime in the Hodeidah port area of Yemen, in response to hundreds of attacks against the State of Israel in recent months." He added that there are no changes to Home Front Command instructions.

According to reports from Yemen, the massive explosions heard in Hodeidah port caused huge fires in ammunition depots, oil refineries, and a power station. Local residents reported power outages and long queues at gas stations. Medical sources in Yemen claim that "dozens of deaths and injuries" were recorded as a result of the attack.

The Israeli strike comes just two days after a Houthi drone hit Tel Aviv, causing minor damage and light injuries. Since the start of the Gaza war in October 2023, the Houthis have launched about 300 missiles and drones towards Israel, most of which were intercepted by air defense systems.

Among the Israeli casualties from Houthi attacks was Yevgeny Freder, who was killed by a missile strike in Eilat about two months ago. His death marked a turning point in the Israeli decision to respond forcefully against the Houthis.

American officials clarified shortly after the attack that "Israel acted alone," without coordination with the United States. However, the U.S. expressed support for Israel's right to defend itself against Houthi attacks.

Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi threatened to respond harshly to the Israeli attack. In a speech broadcast on local television, he said: "The Israeli aggression will not go unanswered. We will respond with all means at our disposal."

Military analysts estimate that the Israeli attack was intended to damage the Houthis' military capabilities and disrupt the supply chain of weapons and combat equipment from Iran. However, they warn that the attack could lead to further escalation in the region.

Meanwhile, residents of Eilat and southern Israel reported heavy movement of Israeli fighter jets in the city's skies before the attack. The IDF announced that it will hold a special briefing this evening at 20:35 to provide further updates on the operation details.

This dramatic development marks a new phase in Israel's campaign against the Houthis and could affect the security situation in the entire region. Political sources in Jerusalem emphasize that Israel will continue to act decisively to protect its citizens and security interests.

Statement by IDF Spokesperson, Brigadier General Daniel Hagari:

Good evening. A few hours ago, Israeli Air Force aircraft attacked targets of the Houthi terrorist regime in the area of Hodeidah port in Yemen, in response to Houthi attacks over the past nine months. Just minutes ago, our pilots landed and returned home safely.

In recent months, the Houthis have launched about 200 different aerial threats towards Israel, funded and directed by Iran and using Iranian weaponry. In yesterday's unmanned aerial vehicle attack, Yevgeny Freder was killed. We extend our condolences to the family from here.

Most of the threats launched towards Israel from Yemen were intercepted or shot down by an international coalition led by the US Central Command (CENTCOM) and by IDF forces in the air, sea, and land. I emphasize that there is no change in Home Front Command policy; if there are changes, we will update. We have reinforced our defense and attack arrays at sea, in the air, and on land, and we are prepared in all sectors. However, the defense is not hermetic, and one should act according to Home Front Command instructions.

At a distance of over 1,700 km from here, our pilots attacked the Hodeidah port area in Yemen. We attacked the port area because it serves as a supply route for transferring Iranian weapons from Iran to Yemen and is a significant economic source for Houthi terrorism. In the port area, we attacked dual-use terrorist infrastructure, including energy infrastructure.

This is a complex operation, one of the longest and farthest ever carried out by the Israeli Air Force. It required meticulous planning and preparation for various possible threats in the area. Yemen is a large country, only part of which is controlled by Houthi terrorism. We have no intention of attacking the Yemeni people – we are operating against Houthi terrorism.

In recent months, the Houthis, under Iranian direction, have attacked dozens of ships and damaged global trade routes. Houthi terrorism, controlled and trained by Iran, harms freedom of navigation, regional ports, the Suez Canal, and global trade as a whole. Tonight, the IDF acted alone.

Israel expects countries affected by Iranian-directed Houthi terrorism to stand united against the terrorist threat carried out by the Houthis under Iranian direction. This is a shared international interest. Over the past nine months, we have been defending against and responding to various threats in several arenas. As part of the defense effort, hundreds of threats were intercepted and shot down, most of them outside the country's borders. The fighters, pilots, ship combatants, alongside air defense fighters, have been operating devotedly since the beginning of the war to defend the country. With tonight's attack, the campaign is not over. Iranian terrorism and its proxies on all borders will challenge us and require us to continue defending and acting where necessary.