Yemen’s Houthis pledge ‘huge’ response to Israel strike as Gaza violence spreads
- Houthi authorities say six people ‘were martyred’ in the attack on Hodeidah port, as Israeli military claims it intercepted a missile fired from Yemen
![A giant fire erupts at an oil storage facility following Israeli strikes in Yemen’s Houthi-held port city of Hodeidah on Saturday. Photo: AFP](https://cdn.i-scmp.com/sites/default/files/styles/1020x680/public/d8/images/canvas/2024/07/21/1fa020a7-d838-4d95-95aa-762828a507a7_35b68b86.jpg?itok=p7PJ9ZBM&v=1721565538)
Yemen’s Houthi rebels promised a “huge” retaliation against Israel on Sunday following a deadly strike on the port of Hodeidah, as violence sparked by the Gaza war gripped the region.
Israel bombed the Palestinian territory, Lebanon and Yemen in quick succession this week in response to attacks from Iran-backed militant groups.
Despite Washington asserting that a deal to end more than nine months of devastating war between Israel and Gaza rulers Hamas was near the “goal line”, the Israeli military said it intercepted a missile fired from Yemen as it pressed on with its offensive in the besieged Gaza Strip.
Dozens have been killed since Saturday across Gaza, the civil defence agency said, including in strikes on homes in the central Nuseirat and Bureij areas and displaced people near southern Khan Younis.
Residents said a major operation was underway in the Saudi district west of Rafah in the south, reporting heavy artillery and clashes.
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