Overview of the situation - Concern over escalation following Israel's retaliation in Yemen
After an Israeli air raid in Yemen in response to a deadly drone attack by the pro-Iranian Huthi Militia in Tel Aviv, concerns are growing over a potential large-scale fire. The Iran and Israel exchanged warnings. Israel's "dangerous adventurism" could trigger a regional war, said the spokesperson of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Kanaani, according to the state news agency Irna. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke of a defense campaign against Iran's "axis of terror."
"It's time now for the international community to maximize sanctions against Iran," demanded Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz on the X platform. The Iran supports, trains, and finances the Huthi as "part of its regional network of terrorist organizations that want to attack Israel." Israel and its supporters like the USA would be "directly responsible for the unpredictable and dangerous consequences" of the Gaza War and attacks on Yemen, warned the spokesperson of the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Guterres concerned about escalation
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed "deep concern over the risk of further escalation in the region." He called for "utmost restraint." Israel's military had previously reported that they had attacked military targets of the Huthi Militia in the Hudaydah Port. According to the Huthi-affiliated Al-Masirah television station in the night, there were at least three dead and 87 injured.
Images showed massive fires. Huthi spokespersons confirmed an Israeli attack on "civilian institutions" in Yemen. Targets were oil and power plants. "From the beginning of the war, I have clearly stated that Israel will act against all who attack us," said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. On Friday, a man was killed and at least eight others were injured by the impact of a drone coming from Yemen in the center of Tel Aviv.
Netanyahu: We reach enemies everywhere
The Huthi counter-attack in Yemen "makes it clear to our enemies that there is no place where the long arm of Israel will not reach," said Netanyahu. It was the response "to hundreds of attacks of the past months against Israel," explained the Israeli army. Weapons from Iran had entered the country via the Hudaida Port, said Netanyahu. Like Hamas in the Gaza Strip and the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon, the Huthi Militia in Yemen is an integral part of Iran's "axis of evil."
Since the start of the Gaza War against Hamas' terror attack on Israel on October 7, 1979, the conflict between Israel and Iran has dramatically intensified. Israel sees itself under attack from militias linked to Iran on several fronts. Since the Iranian Revolution in 1979, Israel and the USA have been considered arch-enemies of the country. Netanyahu also called Iran the "most important enemy" in the past.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Galant about Israel's response to the Huthi Militia's drone attack in Tel Aviv, according to a Pentagon spokesperson in the night. Israel's attack was in response to months-long attacks by the Huthi against the State of Israel. Austin reaffirmed "the unwavering commitment of the United States to Israel's security and to Israel's right to self-defense."
Meanwhile, in Israel, thousands of people demonstrated again against the Netanyahu government and for an immediate agreement in the Gaza War for the release of hostages. Protesters in Jerusalem held up signs that read "No flight without an agreement," as reported by "Times of Israel" in the evening. On Wednesday, Israel's prime minister is scheduled to give a speech to both houses of the US Congress regarding Israel's military actions in the Gaza Strip.
At one of the weekly demonstrations, a participant, whose own grandson was kidnapped by Hamas and other groups in Gaza on October 7 and was recently declared dead by the military according to the newspaper, said: "Only the end of the war will bring the hostages home." An end to the war would also "mean the end of the government," he added. "So you can all understand why this war is lasting so long and why there is still no hostage exchange agreement."
Indirect talks between Israel and Hamas have been ongoing for months, with Egypt, Qatar, and the US acting as mediators. They revolve around a three-tiered plan that involves the exchange of the approximately 120 hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons, as well as steps towards a permanent ceasefire. Participants in the indirect talks have recently shown cautious optimism. However, no high-level meetings have been announced at present.
Huthi: Prepare for a long war with Israel
The spokesperson for the Huthi militia in Yemen, Jahja Sari, said that they were preparing for a "long war" with Israel. The militia has been seizing cargo ships in the region for months that they claim have links to Israel. They act in solidarity with the Palestinians in the Gaza War. They have also targeted Israel. Most projectiles were intercepted. The Israeli Army spokesperson Daniel Hagari stated that Iran finances, arms, and directs the terrorist activities of the Huthi.
The Huthi drone targeted Tel Aviv with long-range missiles on Friday, loading it with explosives into a residential building in the center of the Israeli coastal metropolis. In response, the Air Force attacked targets in the Yemeni port of Hudaida that were also used for terrorist activities, including energy infrastructure, said Hagari. Israel carried out the air strike alone and did not involve allies such as the US.
A civil war has been raging in Yemen for years. In addition, there is a severe humanitarian crisis in which about 80% of the population is dependent on some form of aid. According to UN estimates, approximately 70% of all imports and 80% of all humanitarian aid supplies enter the country through the strategically important Hudaida port on the Red Sea.
- The spike in conflicts between Israel and Iran, initiated by the drone attack in Yemen, has raised concerns for a potential large-scale war.
- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Nasser Kanaani, warned of Israel's "dangerous adventurism" potentially triggering a regional war.
- Lloyd Austin, the US Defense Secretary, discussed Israel's response to the Huthi Militia's drone attack in Tel Aviv with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Galant.
- UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed concern over the escalation between Israel and Iran, urging "utmost restraint" to prevent further escalation.
- The Huthi Militia launched a counterattack in Yemen after months of attacks against Israel, triggering an Israeli air raid on military targets in the Hudaydah Port.
- Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu affirmed that Israel will act against anyone attacking it, referring to the drone attack in Tel Aviv and other attacks from militias linked to Iran.
- Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Huthi Militia are considered integral parts of Iran's "axis of evil" by Israel and its supporters like the USA.
- In the Gaza War, Israel has seen itself under attack from militias linked to Iran on various fronts, and the conflict between Israel and Iran has intensified dramatically.
- Since the start of the Gaza War against Hamas' terror attack on Israel, diplomatic tensions between Israel and Iran have risen, with the USA being Israel's main ally in this conflict.
- The Huthi spokesperson Jahja Sari announced their readiness for a "long war" against Israel, seizing cargo ships and targeting Israel in solidarity with the Palestinians in the Gaza War.
- Iran's role as a financial, armament, and directing force behind the terrorist activities of the Huthi Militia has been confirmed by the Israeli Army spokesperson Daniel Hagari.
