Yemen's Health Ministry announced that at least four people were killed and 40 others injured in what it described as an Israeli airstrike on the western port city of Hodeidah, Houthi news agency SABA reported.

The Houthi-controlled Yemeni ministry's statement indicated that most of the injured are in critical condition and warned that the casualty figures are preliminary, suggesting the toll could rise.

The ministry strongly condemned the "Zionist aggression," accusing Israel of targeting civilian areas and characterising the attack as a "war crime." This incident marks the second Israeli strike on targets in Hodeidah, further escalating tensions in the region.

The Israeli army targeted a power plant and ports in Yemen in revenge for Houthi missile attacks in what the IDF said was a “large-scale air operation” with dozens of air force aircraft, including fighter jets and intelligence planes, it said.

The strategic significance of Hodeidah, a key port on Yemen's Red Sea coast, has made it a flashpoint in the country's prolonged civil war.

This airstrike would signify a substantial escalation of the conflict in the Middle East. Sources indicated that the IDF’s latest strike exceeded even the extensive July strike on Hodeidah.

IDF officials, including Chief of the General Staff Herzi Halevi and Israeli Air Force Commanding Officer Tomer Bar, emphasised Israel's commitment to protecting its civilians and its capability to strike distant targets with precision.

The strikes were reportedly in retaliation for recent Houthi ballistic missile attacks on Tel Aviv and central Israel. Iranian and Houthi officials condemned the Israeli actions, reiterating their resolve against what they termed "American-backed Zionist aggression."

This escalation highlights how the ongoing conflict has reverberated around the broader Middle East, with Israel’s clashes with Lebanon intensifying in recent days, culminating in the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.