The Israeli military launched strikes on Yemen’s Red Sea port of Hodeidah on Tuesday, targeting Houthi-controlled facilities. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned the Iran-backed Houthi movement of a potential naval and air blockade should attacks on Israel persist.
According to Houthi-run Al Masirah TV, two Israeli strikes hit the docks at Al Hodeidah port. The Israeli military confirmed that its navy targeted Houthi infrastructure, claiming the port is used to smuggle weapons.
No casualties were immediately reported.
This action is part of a broader Israeli military campaign against Iran-aligned groups, initiated after Israel weakened several of Tehran’s regional proxies.
On Monday, the Israeli military urged civilians to evacuate three Houthi-held ports—Ras Isa, Hodeidah, and Salif.
“We warned the Houthi terrorist organization that continued attacks on Israel would be met with a powerful response, including a naval and aerial blockade,” Katz stated on X (formerly Twitter).
Maritime security firm Ambrey reported no damage to merchant vessels docked in the port. However, it advised ships in the area to limit crew movements and reduce personnel on deck and on the bridge.
Since the start of Israel’s offensive in Gaza in October 2023, the Houthis have launched missile and drone attacks on Israel and shipping routes in the Red Sea, claiming solidarity with Palestinians. Most projectiles have either been intercepted or failed to reach Israeli territory. Israel has responded with multiple retaliatory airstrikes.
Despite years of Saudi-led bombing during Yemen’s civil war, the Houthis remain a potent force. While Israel has significantly weakened Iranian allies like Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, the Houthis and other Tehran-aligned militias in Iraq continue to pose challenges.
Under the leadership of Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the Houthi movement has evolved from a modest group of guerrilla fighters into a sizable military force boasting tens of thousands of fighters and a large cache of drones and ballistic missiles.
Western nations and Saudi Arabia allege that Iran supplies arms to the Houthis—a claim Tehran consistently denies.
