Heavy Israeli Attack on Hodeidah Port; Netanyahu: Houthis Use It to Import Iranian Weapons

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, stated after the Israeli airstrike on Saturday targeting Houthi positions in Hodeidah that this port is used to import weapons made by the Islamic Republic of Iran. He warned that the attack on this port, located 1800 kilometers from Israel's border, demonstrates that Israel can strike its enemies anywhere. Netanyahu, referencing the Houthi attacks on Israel over the past eight months, cautioned that anyone who harms Israeli citizens will pay a 'heavy price.' Concurrently, Israel Katz, Israel's Foreign Minister, following Israel's retaliatory attack on Houthi positions in Hodeidah, said: '[The Islamic Republic of] Iran is the head of the snake [and] must be stopped right now.' Katz posted on X, stating: 'Israel dealt a heavy blow today to the Iranian-supported terrorist organization in Yemen.' The Israeli Foreign Minister warned: 'We will strike anyone who attacks us.' According to him, the Houthis are part of a 'regional network of terrorist organizations aimed at attacking Israel,' with the Iranian government providing them military and financial support. He added that it is time for the international community to maximize sanctions against the Islamic Republic of Iran. Katz reminded that the Houthis, under the guidance of the Islamic Republic, have severely harmed the freedom of navigation and trade routes, and that the Iranian government must be stopped as the 'head of the snake.' The Houthi militants announced that Israel targeted oil refinery facilities in the Hodeidah port, controlled by this Iranian-backed group, with heavy airstrikes on Saturday. This attack on Hodeidah, controlled by the Houthis, came one day after a drone attack by this Iranian-backed group on Tel Aviv, which resulted in the death of one Israeli civilian and injuries to ten others. Following this drone attack, Yoav Gallant, Israel's Defense Minister, stated that revenge would be taken against those seeking to harm Israel. After meeting with senior Israeli military officials, including Herzi Halevi, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, he warned that the army is working to immediately strengthen all of the country's defense systems and will retaliate against anyone seeking to harm Israel or conduct terrorist operations against it. Subsequently, Israeli officials told the publication 'Ynet' that 'a response will be given to the Houthi attack, which was carried out using an Iranian drone.' They stated that the option of a direct Israeli attack on Yemen is 'on the table.' Earlier, the 'Al-Arabiya' television reported, citing undisclosed sources, that Saturday's attack was jointly conducted by Israel, the United States, and Britain, targeting a fuel tank and oil refinery facilities in Hodeidah. According to the Houthis, these attacks resulted in casualties. According to Al-Arabiya, 12 Israeli fighter jets, including F-35s, participated in this attack. However, the Israeli news website 'Walla News' reported, citing an official from the country, that Israel conducted the attacks against Hodeidah, controlled by the Houthis, alone. The Houthi television 'Al-Masirah' broadcast footage of extensive fires at the oil facilities as a result of Saturday's airstrikes. The Houthi television claimed that the Israeli attack on Hodeidah left 80 injured. The Houthi television, affiliated with the Houthi militants, reported on Saturday evening local time, citing Yemen's Ministry of Health, that the Israeli attack on Hodeidah left at least 80 injured. The attack on Hodeidah, controlled by the Houthis, occurred one day after the drone attack by this Iranian-backed group on Tel Aviv, which resulted in the death of one Israeli civilian and injuries to ten others. Isaac Herzog's conversation with the Air Force commander and congratulations on the successful attack on Houthi positions in Yemen. Isaac Herzog, the President of Israel, congratulated the Air Force commander on the successful airstrike in Yemen, which followed hundreds of repeated Houthi attacks on Israel and its citizens in recent months. In this conversation, Isaac Herzog thanked General Bar, pilots, technicians, control and intelligence personnel, and all officers and soldiers of the Israeli Defense Forces from various units for the strong and precise operation and high-level intelligence that led to the success of this mission. The President of Israel stated in this conversation: 'This is a clear example of the capabilities of the Israeli Air Force – and a clear message to our enemies.' He emphasized that the Israeli government has shown maximum restraint for a long time, but has the full right to defend itself and its citizens and has a fundamental duty to act against anyone threatening its sovereignty. Hours before the attack on Hodeidah, the Israeli army announced in a statement that Hezbollah fired about 45 rockets into northern Israel on Saturday. According to the statement, Hezbollah fired about 30 rockets towards the Golan Heights at 3:35 PM. The Israeli army added that some of the rockets were intercepted and destroyed, while some others caused fires. Hezbollah, the main proxy arm of the Islamic Republic, claimed responsibility for the rocket fire into northern Israel on Saturday afternoon. According to the Israeli army's statement, around 4 PM, another 15 rockets were fired at two areas in northern Israel. The rocket attacks on Saturday did not result in any casualties. Following the terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the abduction of over 250 others, including children, women, and the elderly to the Gaza Strip, Israel launched an invasion of Gaza aimed at destroying this Iranian-backed group and freeing the abducted hostages. After this attack, other proxy groups of the Islamic Republic, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Yemeni Houthis, began attacking Israel and also U.S. positions in the region. In recent months, the Houthis have carried out numerous drone and missile attacks against commercial ships in the region, and in response, the U.S. and its allies have formed an international coalition to target the positions of this Iranian-backed group with heavy attacks. The Israeli army: '150 terrorists' were killed in Gaza last week. The U.S. State Department: The U.S. consulate in Tel Aviv was not damaged in the Houthi attacks. Drone attack on a residential building near the U.S. consulate in Tel Aviv; one killed and several injured.