Egypt calls for restraint, end to Gaza war after Israeli airstrikes on Yemen

CAIRO – 20 July 2024: Egypt has called for restraint and an end to the war in Gaza, which it attributes to the ongoing escalation in the region, following a series of Israeli attacks on Hodeidah in Yemen on Saturday.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed deep concern over the Israeli military operation in Yemen, stating that it further exacerbates the current tension on all fronts.

Egypt emphasized the need for international efforts to safeguard the security and stability of the region.

The ministry reiterated that Egypt has repeatedly warned of the risks of conflict spillover in the region in light of the developments in the Gaza war.

The ministry added that such spillover could lead to a cycle of conflicts and instability throughout the entire region.

Egypt called on all parties to exercise restraint, de-escalate the situation, and avoid descending into regional chaos.

The nation urged all regional and international actors to fulfill their responsibilities to bring an end to the Gaza war, highlighting it as the primary cause of heightened tension and regional escalation.

Egypt called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and unrestricted access for humanitarian aid to the region.

The ministry emphasized that a ceasefire is crucial and necessary to contain the ongoing tensions, establish comprehensive de-escalation in the region, and preserve regional security and stability.

من اجل عيونكم يا اطفال فلسطين، تهون على شعبنا كل اشكال المعاناة السابقة واللاحقة..

استهداف المنشآت الخاصة بتخزين النفط في ميناء الحديدة من قبل العدو الصهيوني.. لن يؤثر على الموقف اليمني المساند لغزة..
سيستمر اليمن، ويضاعف اداءه اكثر في مواجهة العدوان الاسرائيلي على غزة.. وستسمر… pic.twitter.com/N1dSWyL63G

— اسامه حسن ساري (@osamasari77) July 20, 2024

Hodeidah attacks

Earlier on Saturday, Israeli fighter jets targeted oil storage facilities in the Houthi-controlled port city of Hodeidah in western Yemen.

The Sanaa health ministry reported casualties and injuries resulting from the attacks, without providing an exact toll.

The Israeli strikes were in retaliation for a drone strike claimed by the Houthis near the US embassy in Tel Aviv on Friday, which resulted in one fatality and at least ten injuries.

The Houthis' Supreme Political Council vowed to mount an "effective response" to today's airstrikes by Israeli jets.

The Israeli army stated today that the attack on Hodeidah was in response to over 220 projectiles fired by the Houthis at Israeli targets in the past nine months, including the recent attack on Tel Aviv.

The Israeli strikes hit dual use targets including energy infrastructure, Reuters cited an Israeli military official as saying.

“Israel's necessary and proportionate strikes were carried out in order to stop and repell the Houthi's terror attacks after 9 months of continuous aerial attacks toward Israeli territory.”

Hear from IDF Spokesperson RAdm. Daniel Hagari on Israel’s response to the Houthi… pic.twitter.com/VEocconfhJ

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) July 20, 2024

Tel Aviv attack

The attack on Tel Aviv occurred without any air raid warning sirens being activated, making it one of the most serious incidents in the city since the start of the Israeli war on Gaza on October 7.

Following yesterday's attack, the Houthis warned that they would continue to target Tel Aviv and other Israeli cities in the near future.

"The Yemeni (Houthi) armed forces designate the occupied Jaffa area (Tel Aviv) as an unsafe zone, and it shall remain a primary target within the range of our weaponry," stated Yahya Sare'e, spokesperson for Yemen's Houthi armed forces.

He further added, "Our focus will be on targeting the Zionist enemy's domestic front and reaching deep within their territory."

Sare'e said the attack was executed using a new drone named Jaffa.

This drone possesses the capability to evade the enemy's interception systems and remains undetectable by radars, he said.

The Houthis have escalated their attacks on targets associated with Israel in recent months against the backdrop of Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people in Gaza and the West Bank.