The Israeli military launched a wave of strikes on Houthi-controlled ports in Yemen overnight, hours after the rebels attacked a ship in the Red Sea.
It was the first attack by the Iran-backed armed group since US President Donald Trump announced two months ago a truce with the militants to halt their attacks against commercial vessels.
The Yemeni port city of Hodeidah was struck along with the ports of Ras Isa and Salif and the Ras Al Khatib power station, according to the Houthi-run Al Masirah television station.
The Israeli military said it “struck and destroyed terror infrastructure belonging to the Houthi terrorist regime”.
“Among the targets were the ports of Hodeida, Ras Isa, and Salif,” it said. It was the Israeli army's first attack on Yemen in about a month.
The army also attacked the Galaxy Leader ship docked at Ras Isa port, which was seized by the Iran-backed Houthis in late 2023, it added.
“The Houthi terrorist regime's forces installed a radar system on the ship and are using it to track vessels in international maritime space, in order to promote the Houthi terrorist regime’s activities,” the Israeli army said.
Shortly after Israel's attacks, two missiles were launched from Yemen towards Israel, the army said on Telegram. The military was working to intercept them and the results were under review, it added.
Houthi rebels said they carried out a military operation using three missiles and eight drones against targets in Israel in response to Israeli army strikes.
The group's spokesman Lt Col Yahya Saree said it attacked Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, Ashdod Port and a power station in Ashkelon using three hypersonic ballistic missiles. The group also attacked Eilat Port using eight drones, he said.
Hours later, the rebels confirmed they had attacked the vessel, saying that it was working with "Israeli companies".
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz threatened to launch more strikes. “What’s true for Iran is true for Yemen,” Mr Katz said. “Anyone who raises a hand against Israel will have it cut off. The Houthis will continue to pay a heavy price for their actions.”
Israel's bombing also came hours after the vessel was attacked in the Red Sea on Sunday by several small boats that opened fire on it including with grenades, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations.
The ship was heading north to Egypt's Suez Canal when it was attacked about 100 kilometres south-west of Hodeidah.
A fire broke out on the Liberian-flagged vessel Magic Seas and the crew were forced to abandon ship, the UKMTO said on social media. A passing merchant vessel rescued all crew members, while the ship remains abandoned. The UKMTO said an armed security team on the vessel had returned fire after an initial attack of gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades.
No responsibility
Security firm Ambrey said the vessel fits the typical profile of a Houthi target. Ambrey said two drone boats struck the ship, while another two were destroyed by armed guards on board the Magic Seas.
Moammar Al Eryani, Information Minister for Yemen’s internationally recognised exiled government based in Saudi Arabia, blamed the Houthis for the attack.
“The attack also proves once again that the Houthis are merely a front for an Iranian scheme using Yemen as a platform to undermine regional and global stability, at a time when Tehran continues to arm the militia and provide it with military technology, including missiles, aircraft, drones and sea mines,” Mr Al Eryani wrote on X.
Israel has carried out several strikes in Yemen over recent months in response to missile attacks by the Houthis.
The Houthis have been launching missiles and drones at Israel since the Gaza war broke out in October 2023. The Houthis say they are acting in solidarity with the Palestinians.
Since November 2023, the rebel group has also attacked ships it deems to be linked to Israel in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
The Houthis broadened their campaign to target ships tied to the US and Britain after the two countries began military strikes aimed at securing the waterway in January last year.
But in May this year, the Houthis reached a ceasefire with the US that ended weeks of intense American strikes against the group. US President Donald Trump said the rebels had “capitulated”. Israel was not included in the truce.
The Houthis pledged last month to resume attacks in the region after the US entered the Israel-Iran war with strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Yemeni security sources told The National last month that the rebels were considering renewed attacks on US targets around the Middle East and increasing attacks on Israel in support of Tehran.
