Israel Strikes Houthi-Held Ports and Cargo Ship in Yemen Amid Rising Red Sea Tensions
In a significant escalation of regional hostilities, the Israeli military launched a series of airstrikes on Houthi-controlled ports and infrastructure in Yemen, including a cargo ship previously seized by the rebel group. The strikes, which took place late Sunday night, targeted the Red Sea ports of Hodeidah, Ras Isa, and Salif, as well as the Ras Kanatib power station and the Bahamas-flagged cargo ship Galaxy Leader.
Targets and Justification
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the operation was a direct response to repeated missile and drone attacks launched by the Iran-backed Houthi movement against Israeli territory. The IDF claimed that the targeted ports were being used to transfer weapons from Iran and that the Galaxy Leader had been outfitted with a radar system to track international shipping, allegedly to facilitate further attacks.
The Galaxy Leader was hijacked by the Houthis in November 2023 and had since been used as a surveillance platform, according to Israeli intelligence. The ship’s original crew was released in January 2025 following a ceasefire deal.
Houthi Retaliation
Following the Israeli strikes, two missiles were launched from Yemen toward Israel, triggering air raid sirens in parts of the occupied West Bank and southern Israel. The Houthis later claimed responsibility, stating they had targeted Ben Gurion Airport, the ports of Ashdod and Eilat, and a power station in Ashkelon using a combination of 11 missiles and drones.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree declared that the group had “successfully confronted” the Israeli assault and was “fully prepared for a sustained and prolonged confrontation” with Israel.
Regional Implications
The incident marks a dangerous intensification of the broader Middle East conflict, which has seen the Houthis increasingly active in the Red Sea since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023. The group has targeted commercial vessels, claiming solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Their maritime campaign has disrupted global shipping routes and drawn international concern.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz issued a stern warning, stating, “The fate of Yemen is the same as the fate of Tehran. Anyone who tries to harm Israel will be harmed”.
This latest exchange underscores the growing complexity of the regional conflict, with Yemen’s civil war, Iran’s influence, and the Israel-Hamas war converging into a volatile geopolitical flashpoint. As tensions rise, the risk of broader escalation remains high.