On Tuesday, the Israeli Navy launched missile strikes on docks in Yemen’s Hodeida, a city controlled by the Houthi rebels, marking Israel’s first military action against this group. The strikes, aimed at facilities vital for humanitarian aid deliveries, occurred amid ongoing Houthi missile and drone attacks targeting Israel in response to its conflict with Hamas in Gaza. The Houthis confirmed the strikes on their al-Masirah news channel but did not provide further details.
Prior to the attack, Israel warned residents to evacuate the Ras Isa, Hodeida, and al-Salif ports, alleging that the Houthis exploit these ports for their military activities, including weapon transfers. Hodeida serves as a critical entry point for food and humanitarian aid for millions affected by the ongoing civil war in Yemen, which began in 2014 when the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa.
The Houthis have been actively launching attacks on commercial and military vessels, sinking two ships and killing four sailors between November 2023 and January 2025. Such actions have destabilized trade through the Red Sea, a key route for global commerce. Recently, the Houthis temporarily paused their attacks until the U.S. initiated responses against them in March.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth confirmed successful navy operations in the region without facing Houthi opposition. The Israeli strikes represent a new phase in regional tensions, with uncertain implications for Houthi retaliation, and the broader conflict in Yemen remains unresolved, reflecting a protracted stalemate between the Houthis and the exiled government supported by a Saudi-led coalition.
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