Israel said it launched overnight airstrikes on four Houthi-controlled sites in Yemen, including ports on the Red Sea and a key power station, marking the most forceful response in weeks to the Iran-backed group’s cross-border threats.
The Israeli military confirmed the targets were struck early Monday, following yet another attempt by the Houthis to launch missiles toward Israel. This time, two projectiles were fired just hours after the air raids. Israel said it attempted to intercept both, but the results were still “under review.”
First Israeli Strikes on Yemen in Nearly a Month
It’s been almost a month since Israel last responded directly to Houthi fire from Yemen, but Monday’s assault showed a return to aggressive deterrence. Around 20 Israeli jets were involved in targeting Houthi assets at the ports of Hodeidah, Ras Isa, and Salif, as well as the Ras Qantib power station.
According to the IDF, these sites were being used to coordinate and facilitate attacks on Israeli territory. The Houthis have continued firing toward Israel, mostly ballistic missiles and long-range drones, even as ceasefire negotiations over Gaza dominate regional diplomacy.
This isn’t Israel’s first brush with Houthi missile fire. But the timing now feels especially charged.
Why Now? The Houthis Keep Pushing the Envelope
While much of the world’s gaze is on Gaza and truce talks in Qatar, the Houthis have been quietly keeping pressure on Israel — and testing its military patience.
For months, the group has claimed solidarity with Palestinians by launching strikes from western Yemen, often toward Eilat or further north. While many of those missiles have been intercepted by Israeli, U.S., or allied naval forces, the barrage has kept Israeli defense planners busy on yet another front.
And now, Tel Aviv seems to be sending a clear message: enough is enough.
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The IDF said it had “concrete intelligence” linking Houthi surveillance and targeting operations to radar systems set up at Hodeidah and Ras Isa.
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A separate statement said that the power plant at Ras Qantib was being used as a dual-purpose site — not just for electricity, but for weapons coordination.
Inside the Ports: What’s Actually Going On?
Much of the attention is focused on the ports Israel targeted — all of which sit on Yemen’s Red Sea coast, crucial for global shipping and oil transit. Hodeidah, in particular, has long been viewed as a strategic hotspot. The Saudis and Emiratis know this all too well from their own campaign in Yemen, which saw repeated airstrikes there.
Ras Isa, meanwhile, has historically been used for oil export operations. Israeli intelligence now believes it’s doubling as a weapons staging ground for the Houthis.
Here’s a basic breakdown of the sites hit:
| Location | Known Use | IDF Allegation |
|---|---|---|
| Hodeidah Port | Major commercial port | Radar surveillance + drone launch site |
| Ras Isa | Oil export terminal | Weapons transit and maritime radar setup |
| Salif Port | Smaller commercial/military mix | Logistics hub for Houthi missile deployments |
| Ras Qantib Plant | Civilian power station | Suspected control center for attack planning |
Yemeni Reaction and the Ongoing Shadow War
There’s been no official Houthi statement confirming damage or casualties, but local sources speaking to regional media outlets described explosions and fire visible across parts of Hodeidah’s western perimeter. One anonymous security source told Al-Masirah, the Houthi-affiliated broadcaster, that at least one warehouse was hit.
Yemenis are divided. Some civilians in Houthi-held areas see the Israeli airstrikes as part of the broader regional hostility they’ve endured for years. Others quietly express worry that their country is becoming a proxy battleground once again, caught between Iran’s ambitions and Israel’s military reflexes.
Israel, meanwhile, has stressed that it’s not seeking to open a new warfront, but won’t tolerate threats from Yemen either.
A War on Multiple Fronts Is Draining Everyone
Let’s be real. Israel is juggling way too much right now. It’s engaged in Gaza, barely keeping Hezbollah at bay in the north, worried about flare-ups in the West Bank, and now sparring with a Yemeni insurgent group backed by Tehran — some 2,000 kilometers away.
That’s a lot for any state, no matter how advanced its defense systems.
This week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to fly to Washington for a long-delayed meeting with President Trump. Truce talks in Qatar are moving slowly. The death toll in Gaza continues to rise. And while U.S. officials say a ceasefire deal could happen “within days,” that feels more like political optimism than solid ground.
And then, missiles start flying in from Yemen. Again.
Not the First Time Houthis Have Provoked Israel
Back in November 2023, the Houthis hijacked the cargo ship Galaxy Leader in the Red Sea — a vessel with links to Israeli owners. That was the moment Israel stopped brushing off the group as a distant irritant.
Since then, Israeli officials say the Houthis have launched dozens of drones and missiles, with the longest-range threats coming in waves.
The U.S. and U.K. launched a joint air campaign earlier this year to degrade Houthi capabilities. But clearly, the group has retained enough gear to remain a thorn in Israel’s side.
There’s no easy solution here. Yemen’s war is long, messy, and deeply factional. And Israel’s involvement, even if limited, could spiral if the Houthis respond with something bigger — or if Iran decides to escalate by proxy.
What Happens If the Houthis Fire Back Again?
That’s the million-dollar question.
Military analysts say Israel’s strike pattern suggests it is still trying to avoid a full-fledged campaign in Yemen. The hits were targeted, not carpet bombing. No mass civilian areas were struck, and there were warnings about maritime movement.
But if another big missile slips through — and does real damage — Israel might rethink its approach.
One Israeli defense official put it bluntly: “The Houthis are dancing on a wire. If they cross a line, they’ll fall — hard.”
For now, the strikes are limited. But everyone’s holding their breath.
