Yemen's Houthis claim to launch two drone strikes inside 'Israel'

The Houthi movement in Yemen announced on Saturday that it launched two simultaneous drone strikes targeting 'Israel', one in Tel Aviv and the other in Ashkelon in the south.

The attacks are part of a continuing escalation in the region.

In a televised statement, Houthi spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree confirmed that the first drone targeted a vital 'Israeli' objective in the occupied city of Tel Aviv, while the second drone struck a key target in the southern city of Ashkelon.

The Houthi spokesperson explained that these operations were in retaliation for the ongoing US aggression against Yemen, which he said has been taking place daily. He further stressed that the group will continue to carry out military operations deep within 'Israeli' territory, regardless of the US's actions.

The Houthis have also vowed to escalate their attacks in response to what they perceive as American support for 'Israeli' actions against Gaza.

“We will not stop,” said Sari. “We will respond to the US escalation with similar intensity.”

Additionally, the Houthi group reported that it had successfully targeted the Negev Nuclear Research Center with a "Palestine 2" hypersonic missile earlier on Saturday. The 'Israeli' military, in turn, announced that it had intercepted a missile launched from Yemen before it entered Israeli airspace, while sirens were heard in several regions.

The Houthi group also confirmed that it had targeted 'Israeli' military assets in the Red Sea, particularly American warships, as part of its broader strategy of resistance against Israel’s air campaign in Gaza.

Earlier, the group’s foreign ministry claimed that the US had launched over 1,200 airstrikes against Yemen since mid-March 2024, causing significant civilian casualties and the destruction of infrastructure. The Houthi group has accused the U.S. of committing war crimes in violation of international law.

These developments come amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where over 168,000 Palestinians have been killed or wounded since the escalation began on October 7, 2023.

The Houthis’ continued military activity against 'Israel' has sparked international concerns about further destabilization in the region, with several countries calling for an immediate ceasefire and peaceful negotiations.