Relations between the Middle East further escalated this weekend when Israel bombed Yemen, hitting an energy plant located just outside Sanaa on August 17. The Haziz power station was struck and experienced explosions and a big fire, which left some sections of the city without power. Israeli authorities said the site acted as part of assisting Houthi military activities, whereas Houthi authorities admitted the destruction but still denied Israel the reason.
This is not the first time Israel has targeted Yemen. Since May, Israeli forces have carried out a series of strikes on airports and ports in Hodeidah and Sanaa. Each time, Israel said it was responding to Houthi missile and drone launches toward Israeli cities.
Only hours after the latest strike, Israel reported intercepting another projectile fired from Yemen. Officials warned that further attacks would bring stronger retaliation, including more naval operations.
Link to the Gaza conflict
The point behind this escalation is its relation to the ongoing war in Gaza. Analysts observe that the Houthis have portrayed themselves as allies of Palestinians and have launched cross border attacks in the name of resistance. According to Israel, however, the group poses not only a threat to its land but also to shipping lanes across the globe through the Red Sea.
As Gaza at war with Israel continues to dominate headlines, the Yemen front has become another dangerous battlefield. Human rights groups caution that each time a new strike is launched, the issue of instability increases and the humanitarian crisis becomes worse in the area.
Why is Israel attacking Yemen?
For many observers, the main question is: why is Israel attacking Yemen now?
Israeli leaders argue the strikes are defensive. They say Houthi missiles and drones have repeatedly tried to hit Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv, and that taking out launch sites inside Yemen is necessary to protect civilians. Critics counter that such strikes risk widening the war and dragging Yemen deeper into a conflict that is already devastating Gaza.
Meanwhile, in Gaza, the fighting shows no sign of slowing. New Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City were reported on the same day as the Yemen attack, with casualties near Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital. Aid agencies warn that food and medical supplies are running out, raising fears of famine.
Reactions in Israel and abroad
The reaction has been swift.
In Israel, protests have erupted as citizens demand the government shift focus toward securing the release of hostages and ending the Gaza war. Demonstrators blocked roads, clashing with police as anger toward the leadership grows.
Across the region, Arab governments have condemned the strikes, warning that multiple flashpoints—from Gaza to Yemen—could spiral into a broader conflict.
In a more global context, the diplomats and the United Nations officials talked about the Red Sea, in which the activities of Houthis and Israeli naval bombing have a high possibility of troubling the important trade routes. There has already been an increase in insurance premiums for ships in the region, which contributes to the uncertainty of the global economy.
Life on the ground
In Sanaa, families described sudden blackouts and panic as explosions rocked the Haziz plant. Emergency crews worked overnight to restore power and contain the fire. Israel insisted the facility had a military purpose, but locals say it was a lifeline for electricity in a city already struggling under years of war.
The people of Gaza spent another night suffering bombings and exodus. For those following updates closely, it’s worth noting that the time in Gaza runs on Eastern European Summer Time (UTC+3), helping place reports and casualty figures in context.
What comes next?
Diplomats are afraid that the situation will get worse. Israel has been explicit that any further launch of missiles by the Houthis will face a harder response. The threat of a war in the region has never been more threatening, as Gaza is still being bombarded heavily.
The reality is that Israel attacking Yemen is no longer an isolated event. It is an extension of a broader war between the Gaza Strip and the Red Sea, and that is drawing more states in and risking millions of lives.
