The Israel Defense Forces (IDF), in coordination with the Defense Minister, announced late Monday night that it had carried out a series of precision strikes on Houthi targets in western Yemen, following repeated missile attacks launched from the region toward Israel. According to the IDF, the targets included key infrastructure used by the Iranian-backed Houthi movement:
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The ports of Hodeidah, Al-Salif, and Ras Issa
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The Ras Qatib power plant
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The "Galaxy Leader" merchant ship, previously seized by the Houthis and reportedly used for intelligence gathering and terrorist activities in the Red Sea
Shortly after the strikes, the Houthis launched two missiles toward Israel, triggering air raid sirens in the Dead Sea region and the southern West Bank. The IDF confirmed attempted interceptions, with results currently under review. No immediate casualties or damage were reported.
Advance Warning Issued Before Strike
Ahead of the airstrikes, an IDF spokesman in Arabic issued a warning, urging civilians and vessels in the targeted zones to evacuate immediately. The announcement specifically mentioned:
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The ports of Hodeidah, Ras Issa, and Al-Salif
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The Hodeidah power station
“For your safety, we call on all those present in the marked areas, as well as vessels anchored nearby, to evacuate immediately,” the message stated.
Targeted Ship: “Galaxy Leader”
The Galaxy Leader, a commercial vessel seized by Houthi forces in November 2023, was among the key targets. According to the IDF and Defense Minister Katz, the ship has been repurposed by the Houthis for surveillance and terrorist operations in the Red Sea.
The strike on the ship is part of a broader campaign to disrupt Houthi maritime capabilities, which Israel says directly support missile attacks against its territory.
Continued Houthi Attacks Despite Previous Strikes
This is not the first Israeli attack on Houthi targets:
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Last month, Israel carried out its first missile ship-based strike on Hodeidah using Saar 6-class missile corvettes.
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In May, a major IDF airstrike involving 15 aircraft hit both the Hodeidah and Al-Salif ports, significantly damaging infrastructure and halting heavy ship docking for nearly a month.
Despite the damage, Houthi missile fire has continued.
On Sunday, a missile from Yemen was intercepted after triggering alarms across multiple Israeli regions.
A similar incident occurred last week, with no reported casualties, but widespread alarms were activated across central Israel, the coastal plain, Jerusalem, and the Dead Sea region.
Civilian Impact and Regional Tensions
The Yemeni Health Ministry in Sanaa reported that one civilian was killed and nine injured in May’s Israeli strikes. Civilian casualties from the latest round have not yet been confirmed.
Tensions remain high as Israel balances regional retaliation, Houthi aggression, and ongoing negotiations involving Gaza and Iran. Defense officials reiterate that any further missile fire from Yemen will be met with “proportional and decisive” responses.
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