In a significant escalation of regional tensions, Israel has confirmed conducting airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the strikes targeted Houthi-controlled ports at Hodeidah, Ras Isa, and Salif, as well as the Ras Kanatib power plant. These actions mark the first Israeli attack on Yemen in nearly a month.
The IDF said the strikes were a response to repeated attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels on Israel. The military also stated that these ports are used by the Houthis to transfer weapons from Iran, which are then used to carry out terrorist operations against Israel and its allies.
One of the key targets of the Israeli airstrikes was the Galaxy Leader, a vehicle-carrying vessel that the Houthis seized in November 2023. The ship, which was originally bound for India, was taken as the Houthis initiated a campaign in the Red Sea against vessels they claimed were linked to Israel. The Houthis had installed a radar system on the ship and were allegedly using it to track vessels in the international maritime arena to facilitate further terrorist activities. The 25 crew members who were taken hostage in November 2023 were released in January 2025.
The Israeli military issued evacuation warnings to residents in the targeted port areas before launching the airstrikes. Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV reported the strikes on Hodeidah shortly after the warnings were issued. Residents of Hodeidah reported that the strikes on the power station caused electricity outages.
Hours after the Israeli airstrikes, the Houthis retaliated by firing missiles toward Israel. The IDF reported attempts to intercept the missiles. While the Israeli ambulance service reported no calls regarding missile impacts or casualties, the Houthis claimed to have targeted multiple locations in Israel with missiles and drones.
The Houthis have been launching missile and drone attacks against commercial and military ships in the Red Sea region since November 2023. They claim these attacks are in solidarity with Palestinians and aimed at ending Israel's offensive against Hamas in Gaza. Between November 2023 and January 2025, the Houthis targeted over 100 merchant vessels, sinking two and killing four sailors. In March 2024, a ship struck by Houthi rebels sunk in the Red Sea.
The recent escalation comes amidst already heightened tensions in the Middle East. A possible ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war remains uncertain.
