On Monday, Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Yemen’s Hodeidah port, a day after Houthi rebels fired a missile that landed near Israel’s main international airport. The Israeli military described the strikes as a direct response to what it labeled repeated “terrorist” attacks by the Houthis.
In an official statement, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the operation specifically targeted Houthi military sites in and around Hodeidah. “The attack was carried out in response to repeated assaults by the Houthi terrorist regime against the state of Israel, in which surface-to-surface missiles and unmanned aircraft were launched at Israeli territory and its citizens,” the statement read.
According to five local residents who spoke with Reuters, more than 10 airstrikes were reported in the port area and in the neighborhoods of al-Salakhanah and al-Hawak within Hodeidah city. In addition, four strikes were reported near a cement factory located on the outskirts of the city. Hodeidah port holds significant importance for Yemen, as it is the second-largest port on the Red Sea after Aden and serves as the main entry point for roughly 80 percent of Yemen’s food imports and humanitarian aid.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously pledged that Israel would retaliate for Sunday’s missile attack. That missile incident marked the first known time in recent months that a Houthi missile managed to evade Israel’s advanced air defense systems. Since March, the Houthis have launched multiple attacks against Israel, most of which were intercepted before causing damage. The Houthis have framed their attacks as acts of solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
Although the United States has often provided support to Israel, a U.S. official—who spoke on condition of anonymity—said that American forces were not directly involved in Monday’s strikes on Hodeidah. However, the official noted that there is an ongoing level of coordination between the U.S. and Israeli militaries.
The recent violence has also affected Yemen’s internal operations. An oil company controlled by the Houthis announced that it had activated an emergency system to keep cars supplied with fuel. This move came after difficulties in unloading oil shipments at Ras Isa port. The company cited U.S. military strikes on Yemen, including on critical port infrastructure, as the primary reason for these disruptions.
Earlier this year, in March, former U.S. President Donald Trump ordered large-scale strikes against Houthi positions. At the time, Trump stated that the purpose of the military campaign was to degrade the Houthis’ ability to launch attacks and to deter them from targeting commercial ships navigating through the Red Sea. These American-led strikes have resulted in significant casualties, with hundreds of people reportedly killed in Yemen since the operations began.
The broader conflict in the region has raised international concern. The Houthis, who have controlled much of Yemen since 2015, have increasingly positioned themselves as regional actors aligned with Iran, using attacks on Israel and shipping routes as a way to project influence. Their involvement in the Israel-Hamas conflict has further complicated an already volatile situation in the Middle East.
The Red Sea is a crucial maritime passage for global trade, and any disruptions in this region have ripple effects on international shipping and energy supplies. The increasing hostilities have led to fears that the Israel-Hamas conflict could escalate into a broader regional war, drawing in actors such as Iran, Hezbollah, and various militant groups across the region.
Hodeidah port, in particular, is a lifeline for millions of Yemenis, who have suffered years of conflict, famine, and humanitarian crises. The port’s vulnerability to military strikes threatens to deepen the country’s already dire humanitarian situation. Aid agencies have repeatedly warned that any interruption to the flow of goods through Hodeidah could result in widespread food shortages, pushing Yemen even closer to the brink of famine.
Despite the escalating violence, diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions have struggled to gain traction. The United Nations has called for all parties to exercise restraint and to prioritize the protection of civilians. However, with each new round of attacks, the path to de-escalation becomes increasingly uncertain.
In summary, Israel’s recent airstrikes on Hodeidah port represent a dramatic escalation in the region’s already complex web of conflicts. As the Houthis continue to attack Israel in what they claim is support for Palestinians, and as both Israel and the U.S. maintain military responses, the humanitarian and political consequences are likely to worsen in the weeks to come.