Escalation: Israel Strikes Back at Houthis Amid Regional Tensions

The Israeli military intercepted a missile from Yemen after conducting airstrikes on Houthi targets in response to a drone attack on Tel Aviv. The conflict marks a new front as Israel tackles Iranian proxies and faces daily clashes with Hezbollah. The war in Yemen has caused extensive humanitarian crises.

In a significant escalation, the Israeli military intercepted a missile fired from Yemen on Sunday, mere hours after launching airstrikes on Houthi targets. These strikes were a direct response to a deadly drone attack on Tel Aviv, marking the first known Israeli counter-retaliation in an ongoing tit-for-tat with Houthi forces.

The Israeli air force targeted the western Yemeni port city of Hodeidah, a stronghold for the Houthis, and confirmed the strikes late Saturday. Utilizing U.S.-made F-15 and F-35 warplanes, Israel responded to what it described as hundreds of Houthi attacks, resulting in severe injuries to 80 people and igniting a massive fire at the port.

The Houthis' military prowess, including long-range ballistic missiles and drones, poses a significant challenge. Meanwhile, Israeli forces continue to deal with daily clashes with Hezbollah in Lebanon, alongside concerns of a broader regional conflict. The Hodeidah port remains a critical access point for supplies into Yemen, a nation ravaged by one of the world's worst humanitarian crises since the civil war erupted in 2014.

(With inputs from agencies.)