Now it's the Houthi rebels' turn? ... Red Sea tensions rise.

[Anchor]
Israel and Yemen's Houthi rebels have used fighter jets and drones to exchange very powerful airstrikes.

There are growing concerns that Israel may face an escalating war against the Houthis, following Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Reporter Shin Woong-jin's report.

[Reporter]
Huge smoke billows from Al-Sabin Square in Yemen's capital Sanaa.

Israel launched an air strike on the center of the presidential palace.

It also bombed the ports of Hodeida and Rasisa on Yemen's west coast and the Hijaz power plant inland with fighter jets.

Israel claimed the Houthis were justified in terms of self-defense because they repeatedly attacked them with drones and surface-to-surface missiles.

[Israeli Katz / Israeli Defense Minister: The Israeli military attack on Yemen today is a clear message to the Houthi terrorist leaders, including Abdul Malik al-Houthi.]

According to Israeli army radio, this is the fifth major attack on Yemen.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu strongly warned in a separate statement that "the Houthis will pay a heavy price."

Houthi rebels earlier said they attacked the central Israeli city of Tel Aviv with drones.

[Yahiya Saari / Houthi rebel spokesman: Yesterday, Yemeni forces carried out offensive operations in various parts of Israel with three drones in the Haifa region and were able to successfully strike targets with God's help.]

The Houthis are also U.S. soldiers Harry S. in the north of the Red Sea with cruise missiles and drones. claimed to have attacked Truman aircraft carriers and frigates.

Tensions are rising in the Red Sea, a maritime logistics hub, as both Israel and the Houthis are hit so hard.

I'm YTN's Shin Woongjin.