The death toll from an Israeli strike on Yemen's rebel-held port of Hodeida climbed to six, Huthi health authorities said on Sunday, as the rebel group's leader threatened an escalation in attacks.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

The U.S-brokered ceasefire deal in Gaza is holding, after Hamas released the remaining Israeli hostages.

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Houthi rebels have pledged a significant response following an Israeli airstrike on Yemen’s Hodeidah port, resulting in six fatalities, according to Houthi health authorities. This incident marks a new escalation in the conflict between the Houthis and Israel, with Israel stating it was a reaction to a drone attack on Tel Aviv by the Yemen-based group.

Israeli forces intercepted a ballistic missile believed to have been aimed at the port city of Eilat by the Houthis, preventing any damage. The ongoing exchange of attacks has intensified tensions, with Israel claiming the Houthis have conducted numerous assaults in recent months. The recent operations signify the first lethal strike on an Israeli citizen by the Houthis and Israel's initial direct military action within Yemeni territory.

Hodeidah's port is a critical point for the distribution of humanitarian aid and potentially a conduit for Iranian arms to the Iran-backed Houthis. The conflict has severely impacted Yemen’s civilian population, reliant on aid delivered through the port. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has affirmed a stance of robust retaliation against any form of aggression, emphasizing Israel's commitment to its defense. Amid the Gaza war, there are growing concerns that the situation could escalate into a broader regional conflict, exacerbated by actions from the Houthis and Hezbollah in support of Palestine.



Houthi rebels vow 'huge response' to Israeli strike

Firefighters tried to control the flames, still burning hours after the Israeli strikes on the port of Hodeidah in Yemen. That was in response to Friday's drone attack on Tel Aviv launched by Yemen-based Houthi rebels. And on Sunday, the tit-for-tat attacks continued. The Houthis say they successfully fired several ballistic missiles towards the Israeli port city of Eilat. The Israeli army says it detected and shot down a single missile, preventing any damage. The back-and-forth strikes are a new escalation of tensions between the Houthis and Israel. Israel says the Houthis have launched hundreds of attacks against it in recent months. But Friday's was the first that killed an Israeli citizen, while Saturday's port strike was the first time Israeli forces directly targeted Yemeni territory. Hodeidah is believed to be an important entry point for Iranian weapons destined for the Iran-backed Houthis, but it's also where humanitarian aid enters Yemen, assistance that's desperately needed by the millions of civilians affected by the decade-old war between the Houthis and the internationally recognized government. We were shocked and terrified by today's bombing. This Israeli attack has further depleted our fuel and essential supplies needed by the citizens and the people. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his government will not hesitate to respond to any aggression. I have a message for Israel's enemies. Make no mistake, we will protect ourselves in every way, on every front. Anyone who harms us will pay a very heavy price for their aggression. Since the war in Gaza began, there have been fears that simmering tensions on other fronts could also spill over into full-scale war, as the Houthis in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon pledge to continue targeting Israel in solidarity with Palestinians.

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Washington

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Brussels

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Providence

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Rio de Janeiro

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Ukraine Invasion

EU leaders urge swift decision on frozen Russian funds for Ukraine

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Los Angeles

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Moscow

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Caracas

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Council of the City of Sydney

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London

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Kyiv

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Paris

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Bondi Beach

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