Israel launches air raids on power station, ports in Yemen

According to local media reports, Israeli warplanes conducted airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, resulting in at least one death and multiple injuries. The Houthi-affiliated Al Masirah TV reported on Friday that the targets of the airstrikes included the western ports of Ras Isa and Hodeidah, the Herzeyaz central power plant near Sanaa, and the Half Sufian area in Amran province.

The television station stated that one employee at the Ras Isa port was killed in the attack, and six others were injured. Additionally, a worker at the Herzeyaz power plant was also injured in the strikes, with the plant being hit 13 times, causing multiple injuries and damage to numerous homes. Al Masirah TV also reported that the attacks paralyzed the port of Hodeidah and set the port of Ras Isa on fire.

The Israeli military issued a statement acknowledging the airstrikes and claiming that the power plant was a "major source of energy for the Houthi terror regime's military activities." The statement also said that "Israel has the right and obligation to defend itself," and alluded to Houthi drone and missile launches towards Israel, as well as attacks on ships in the Red Sea believed to be linked to Israel.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree stated that in recent days, the Houthis launched three drones at the Israeli commercial center of Tel Aviv and more drones and missiles at the U.S. aircraft carrier "Harry S. Truman" in the Red Sea. Yemeni political commentator Hussein Bukhati told Al Jazeera that the Israeli military "clearly does not know where the Yemeni military facilities are." He stated that the Houthis will continue to launch attacks on Israel and hinted that they may use "new hypersonic ballistic missiles" to strike "legitimate targets" such as "their power plants and airports."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the Houthis are being punished for their repeated attacks on Israel. "As we promised, the Houthis are paying a heavy price for their aggression against us, and they will continue to pay," he said, vowing that attacks on Israel would not be tolerated. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that Israel will "hunt down" Houthi leaders. In a video statement, he said, "The port of Hodeidah is paralyzed, and the port of Ras Isa is burning—no one will be immune."