Tel Aviv/Sanaa – July 8:
Israel carried out a series of airstrikes on Houthi-controlled infrastructure in Yemen early Monday, targeting three Red Sea ports and a power station, in what marks the first Israeli strike on Yemeni soil in nearly a month.
According to a statement by the Israeli military, the strikes hit ports in Hodeidah, Ras Isa, and Salif, along with the Ras Qantib power plant. The military described the operation as a direct response to ongoing threats posed by Houthi forces, who have launched dozens of missiles and drones toward Israeli territory in recent months.
Shortly after the strikes, two missiles were reportedly launched from Yemen. The Israeli military said interception attempts were made, but the results remain under assessment. No casualties or damage have been reported in Israel so far, according to the national ambulance service.
Among the targets was the Galaxy Leadership, a ship docked at Ras Isa port that was seized by the Houthis in late 2023. Israeli forces alleged that a radar system had been installed on the vessel, which was being used to monitor maritime activity and support Houthi operations in international waters.
In response, a Houthi military spokesperson claimed that the group’s air defences confronted the Israeli strikes using “a large number of domestically produced surface-to-air missiles.”
Residents in Hodeidah told Reuters that the city’s main power station was knocked out during the assault, plunging the area into darkness. No immediate reports of casualties were available.
Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV confirmed that Israel issued an evacuation alert before launching air raids on the three ports. The strikes came just hours after a vessel off the coast of Hodeidah was attacked and abandoned by its crew after it began taking on water. While no group claimed responsibility, UK-based maritime security firm Ambrey noted that the vessel matched the typical profile of a Houthi target.
The attack reflects broader regional tensions. Israel has already conducted operations against other Iranian-backed factions, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza. However, the Houthis — widely seen as part of Tehran’s regional network — remain active and continue to challenge Israeli and Western interests in the Red Sea corridor.
Under the leadership of Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the Houthi movement has evolved from a tribal insurgency into a formidable paramilitary force, equipped with ballistic missiles and armed drones.
The latest escalation raises concerns over the stability of international shipping lanes and the potential for further widening of the conflict across the Middle East.
