Houthi Leader Vows Retaliation Against Israeli Airstrikes

The leader of Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi group, Abdulmalik al-Houthi, has announced an imminent response to Israeli airstrikes that targeted Hodeidah, resulting in casualties. Al-Houthi emphasized that their attacks in support of Palestinians will persist despite Israeli actions.

DUBAI, July 25 (Reuters) - A Houthi response to Israeli airstrikes near Yemen's Hodeidah is coming, the Iran-backed group's leader declared in a televised speech on Thursday.

Israeli fighter jets struck Houthi military targets near Yemen's port of Hodeidah on Saturday, killing at least nine people and wounding 87, a day after a Houthi drone hit Israel's economic hub Tel Aviv.

"The response is inevitable," Abdulmalik al-Houthi said. The group's attacks on Israel in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza will continue and not be deterred by the Israeli airstrikes, he added. "Everything that happens from the side of the Israeli enemy will be more incentive for revenge," al-Houthi said.

(With inputs from agencies.)