The Israeli navy on Tuesday conducted strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen’s Port of Hodeidah, reported the Associated Press (AP).
The strikes likely caused damage to facilities used to deliver crucial aid shipments to the war-torn country. On the other hand, the Israeli military claimed the port is used to transfer weapons, threatening to impose naval and air blockade if the Houthi attacks on Israel continue.
Navy Strikes on Hodeidah
On Tuesday, the Israeli navy launched two strikes against the docks of Al Hodeidah port, according to the Houthi-run Al Masirah TV.
Meanwhile, the deputy head of the Houthis’ media office, Nasruddin Amer, confirmed the attack, claiming it had no significant impact on the group. “It has no effect even on the morale of our people, who take to the streets weekly … in support of Gaza,” he wrote on X.
This marks the first time the Israeli navy has been involved in Israel’s campaign against the Houthis.
The Hodeidah port has served as the main entry point for food and humanitarian aid to Yemeni people since the outbreak of the war in 2014.
Responding to Houthi Attacks
The attack followed Israeli online warnings to Yemenis to evacuate the Houthi-controlled ports of Ras Isa, Hodeidah and al-Salif.
The Israeli military said in a statement that its navy missile ships struck Houthi targets in Yemen’s Hodeidah port. “These strikes were conducted in response to repeated missile and UAV attacks on Israeli territory,” it said.
“The Hodeidah Port is used to transfer weapons and to exploit civilian infrastructure in order to advance terrorist activities,” the statement added.
Israeli Threats
The Israeli Defense Minister, Israel Katz, warned the Houthis that “Israel’s long arm, both in the air and at sea, will reach everywhere,” he posted on X.
He also threatened with naval and air blockade if the group does not halt its attacks on Israel. “We warned the Houthi terrorist organization that if they continue to fire at Israel, they will face a powerful response and enter a naval and air blockade,” he said.
Houthi-Israel Tensions
Tensions between the Yemeni rebel group and Israel have escalated since the start of Gaza war in October 2023, with the Houthis targeting shipping in the Red Sea with drone and missile attacks in an effort to pressure Israel to end its offensive on the Strip.
According to AP, the Houthis targeted more than 100 merchant vessels with missiles and drones, from November 2023 to January 2025, sinking two of them and killing four sailors.
The Houthis also fired dozens of missiles and drones towards Israel, most of which were intercepted. In early May, the group targeted Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport with a hypersonic ballistic missile, which Israeli air defenses failed to intercept.
In response, the Israeli military struck dozens of Houthi targets in Hodeidah and surrounding areas. Furthermore, Israel attacked Sanaa International Airport, destroying all the aircraft used by Yemen’s state carrier, Yemenia.
US-Houthi Truce
In early May, the US and the Houthis reached a ceasefire agreement, mediated by Oman, after the US launched a military campaign in March against the Iranian-backed group.
The US President, Donald Trump, announced that the US would halt attacks on the Houthis after the group agreed to stop targeting ships in the Red Sea.
Early on Tuesday, the US Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, said that the US Navy ships have navigated the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait “multiple times in recent days” without facing attacks from the Houthis.
“These transits occurred without challenge and demonstrate the success of both Operation ROUGH RIDER and the President’s Peace Through Strength agenda,” he wrote on X.
