Israel bombs Yemen’s Hodeidah Port (Image credits: X @RT_com)
Israel on Monday carried out airstrikes on Yemen’s key Hodeidah port and nearby facilities injuring nearly 21 people, according to Houthi health ministry spokesperson Anees al-Asbahi.
The attack was launched in retaliation for a missile fired by Iran-aligned Houthi rebels that landed near Ben Gurion International Airport on Sunday, reported news organisation Al Jazeera.
It is the first such projectile to bypass Israel’s missile defense systems since the Houthis began targeting the country in late 2023.
Massive explosions and thick plumes of smoke were seen rising from Hodeidah’s port in footage aired by Houthi-run media.
The Israeli military confirmed it had targeted “terrorist infrastructure” in and around the port, including a cement factory it claims was used to build tunnels and other military structures.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also alleged that Hodeidah port was a hub for Iranian arms transfers to the Houthis — a claim that could not be independently verified.
The strikes followed a high-profile announcement from Houthi leadership vowing to impose a “comprehensive aerial blockade” on Israel.
They also warned international airlines to suspend flights to Israeli airports, declaring Ben Gurion Airport a primary target and citing solidarity with Palestinians amid Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza.
The Houthis’ humanitarian operations coordination center said it had notified global aviation bodies, including the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), of its intent to repeatedly strike Israeli airports.
While Houthi missile and drone attacks have regularly been intercepted, this incident marks the first missile to reach the Tel Aviv area without being shot down, raising concerns over Israel’s air defense capabilities and regional escalation.
The situation adds to growing tensions in the Red Sea and beyond, as the Houthis continue to target Israeli interests and shipping routes in what they describe as retaliation for Israel’s actions in Gaza.
