Ammon News - A series of intense Israeli airstrikes shook Yemen’s capital and a port city early Thursday, shortly after a Houthi missile targeted central Israel.

Thursday’s strikes risk further escalating conflict with the Houthis, whose attacks on the Red Sea corridor have drastically impacted global shipping.

The Houthi-controlled satellite channel al-Masirah said that some of the strikes targeted power stations in the capital, as well as the Ras Isa oil terminal on the Red Sea. It said the strike on the oil terminal killed and wounded people, but did not immediately elaborate.

An Israeli military statement offered no specifics on the targets hit.

“The targets struck by the (Israeli military) were used by the Houthi forces for military purposes,” the statement said.

Daniel Hagari, the Israeli military spokesman, said the strikes hit energy and port infrastructure, which he alleged the rebels “have been using in ways that effectively contributed to their military action.”

“Israel will not hesitate to act in order to defend itself and its citizens from the Houthi attacks,” Hagari said.

The strikes happened just after the Israeli military said its air force intercepted a missile launched from Yemen before it entered the country’s territory.

“Rocket and missile sirens were sounded following the possibility of falling debris from the interception,” the Israeli military said. Sirens sounded near Tel Aviv and the surrounding areas, and a large explosion was heard overhead at the time. The Houthis did not immediately claim the missile attack, but said an important military statement would be issued in the coming hours, following a pattern of how they claim their assaults.

Israel previously struck Hodeida and its oil infrastructure in July after a Houthi drone attack killed one person and wounded 10 in Tel Aviv.

AP