The internationally recognized Yemeni government on Saturday, July 20, 2024, strongly condemned the Israeli airstrikes on Hudaydah province, denouncing the violation of Yemeni sovereignty and labeling the attack a "blatant violation of all international laws and norms."

In a statement carried by the official Yemeni news agency Saba, a government source held the Israeli entity "fully responsible for any repercussions resulting from its airstrikes, including exacerbating the humanitarian crisis already aggravated by the Houthi group, designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, through its attacks on oil facilities and international shipping routes. This also strengthens the position of the militia and its misleading propaganda."

The source warned the Houthis against "continuing to hold the fate of Yemen and its people hostage, dragging them into their pointless battles to serve the interests of the Iranian regime and its expansionist project in the region." It also cautioned both Iran and Israel against "any attempts to turn Yemeni territory, through the rogue militia, into a battleground for their pointless wars and destructive projects in the region."

The source urged the Houthis to "listen to reason, respond to the will and aspirations of the Yemeni people, prioritize national interests over any other interests and agendas, refrain from inviting foreign military intervention, engage seriously in the peace process, and cease all forms of violence and military escalation."

The source called on the international community and the Security Council to assume their responsibilities in safeguarding international peace and security, emphasizing that the only way to achieve this is by supporting the Yemeni government to complete the restoration of its authority over its entire national territory and implement international legitimacy resolutions, particularly Resolution 2216.

The Yemeni government reiterated its unwavering support for the Palestinian people, calling on the international community to take all necessary steps to halt the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people, fulfill their aspirations for security, stability, and a dignified life, and establish their independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital, according to the official agency.

On Saturday afternoon, powerful explosions rocked Hudaydah following airstrikes, which Houthi media claimed targeted oil storage facilities in the port, resulting in casualties.

Later, Israel confirmed responsibility for the strikes. An Israeli military spokesperson stated that "our warplanes carried out strikes against Houthi targets in the Hudaydah port area in Yemen," noting that the strikes were "in response to Houthi attacks over the past months."

On Friday morning, the Israeli Broadcasting Authority announced the death of one Israeli and injuries to 10 others following the crash of a drone in Tel Aviv. The Houthi group claimed responsibility for the attack, calling it "the first of its kind."