Israel strikes Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen amid escalating tensions

Israel announced early Monday that it had conducted a series of airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, targeting key ports and infrastructure. The strikes, which hit the port city of Hodeida along with Ras Isa and Salif, were described as a response to ongoing Houthi missile and drone attacks against Israel.

Retaliatory strikes and Houthi response

The Israeli military stated that it “struck and destroyed terror infrastructure belonging to the Houthi terrorist regime,” highlighting the repeated attacks by the Iran-backed group as the trigger for the operation. The Houthis have been launching missiles and drones at Israel since October 2023, when the Gaza conflict reignited, declaring their actions as support for the Palestinian cause.

Hours after the Israeli strikes, the Houthis fired two missiles towards Israel, which the Israeli army claimed to have intercepted.

Houthi-controlled Al-Masirah television reported the strikes on Hodeida, Ras Isa, Salif, and the Ras Al-Kathib power station. The attacks reportedly followed an Israeli army warning issued on social media.

Targeting strategic assets

Among the targets hit during the strikes was the Galaxy Leader cargo ship, seized by the Houthis in November 2023. Israel alleged the ship had been outfitted with radar systems to monitor shipping activities in the Red Sea.

The Houthis, in addition to targeting Israel, have expanded their campaign to attack vessels linked to the United States and Britain. These actions followed the countries' military interventions in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden to secure international waterways starting in January 2024.

Ongoing conflict and broader implications

The Houthis intensified their attacks in March 2025 after Israel resumed its military operations in Gaza, which broke a two-month ceasefire. Yemen's Houthis have since continued to target Israeli ships in the Red Sea, despite agreeing to a ceasefire with the United States in May 2024 that ended weeks of intense US-led strikes.

The ongoing hostilities reflect the broader regional tensions, with the Houthis’ actions tied to Iran-backed efforts and their stated solidarity with Palestinians. The Red Sea and Gulf of Aden remain volatile, with international shipping frequently caught in the crossfire of the escalating conflict.