A former Houthi official has condemned a recent drone attack on Tel Aviv, which resulted in one death and several injuries, calling it a “grave mistake.” In an exclusive interview with Israel Hayom, the ex-official criticized the Yemen-based group’s decision to engage in direct confrontation with Israel, warning that such actions could exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
The official suggested alternative forms of support for the Palestinians, such as financial aid, media campaigns, or humanitarian assistance, similar to the approaches taken by other Arab nations. He expressed concern that the Houthis’ aggressive tactics would further endanger Yemeni civilians and damage the country’s already struggling economy. “The Houthis use tens of millions of Yemenis as human shields when they send a rocket and kill an Israeli civilian. They will cause the ports to go bankrupt,” he told Israel Hayom, highlighting the risk of civilian infrastructure being targeted in retaliatory strikes.
Firefighting teams in Yemen’s Hodeidah port are still struggling to control a massive blaze that erupted after an Israeli airstrike damaged oil storage facilities. The attack, which took place on Saturday, has led to heavy flames and black smoke engulfing the port, which is a critical lifeline for the Houthi-controlled region.
Houthi port still ablaze pic.twitter.com/spoJtb2FL7
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) July 22, 2024
The fire, now in its third day, threatens to spread to food storage facilities, posing a severe risk to the local population that relies heavily on humanitarian aid. High-resolution satellite images from Maxar Technologies and analysis by the Dutch peace organization PAX revealed extensive damage to the port’s infrastructure. Wim Zwijnenburg, a project leader with PAX, reported that at least 33 oil storage tanks have been destroyed, and further damage is expected to be uncovered as the heavy smoke clears.
NEW FOOTAGE
The initial moments of the powerful Israeli Air Force attack on Hodeidah Port in Yemen yesterday. pic.twitter.com/zKp3ND7Ih3
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) July 21, 2024
The attack on Hodeida port has sparked fears of a worsening humanitarian crisis in Yemen, which is already suffering from severe food and fuel shortages due to the prolonged conflict. The port serves as a crucial entry point for aid shipments, and any disruption could have catastrophic consequences for millions of Yemenis.
Satellite Imagery by Maxar of the Port of Al-Hudaydah in Western Yemen show much of it in Total Ruin after yesterday’s Strikes by the Israeli Air Force, with Dozens of Storage Tanks filled with Millions of Gallons of Fuel and Oil still in Flames. pic.twitter.com/aSemyTC6Il
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) July 21, 2024
Expanded Coverage:
