In a significant escalation of tensions in the Middle East, Israeli fighter jets carried out an air strike in Yemen on Saturday as a direct response to a Houthi drone attack on Tel Aviv last Thursday. This marks the first time that Israel has directly targeted Yemen, a country over 1,000 miles away.

The Houthis, an Islamist militant group supported by Iran, have been involved in harassing and attacking commercial ships in the Red Sea for several months, in retaliation to Israel's conflict in Gaza. Houthi officials have reported that the Israeli strike hit oil facilities in the port of Hodeidah, which is under their control. According to Saudi television channel al-Hadath, the attack resulted in three deaths and 15 injuries.

Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant reportedly discussed a potential Israeli response with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, following the Houthi attack that claimed the life of an Israeli citizen and wounded multiple others. Subsequently, Israeli and U.S. military officials had multiple conversations leading up to the strike, which was conducted in coordination with the U.S. and an international coalition formed to counter Houthi attacks.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for a highly unusual security cabinet meeting on Saturday in order to obtain approval for the strike. The meeting was attended by many religiously observant ministers, despite it falling on the Sabbath.

An IDF spokesperson stated that the recent Israeli airstrike targeted military targets of the Houthi regime in the Hodeidah port area of Yemen, in response to the numerous attacks against Israel in recent months. In contrast, the Houthis claim that the strike targeted civilian facilities, oil tanks, and the electricity station in Hodeidah. They assert that the aim of the Israeli strike was to pressure Yemen into ceasing support for Gaza, but emphasized that it would only strengthen the resolve of the Yemeni people and their armed forces to support Gaza.

A senior Israeli official clarified that the strike in Yemen was solely carried out by Israel. The official explained that it was a targeted operation at the port of Hodeidah, following months of restraint in the face of Houthi attacks that included the firing of surface-to-surface missiles. The official justified the strike by considering the port as "terrorist infrastructure and a legitimate military target," claiming that it is used by the Houthis to acquire weaponry. They emphasized that Israel's intention is not to start a regional war but to protect its citizens from attacks.

Looking ahead, the same official called on the international community to increase its military actions against the Houthis, implement economic pressure through sanctions, and demand that Iran restrain the militants and halt the supply of weapons.

This story is developing, and further updates and statements are expected.