Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed the strikes hit the ports of Hudaydah, Ras Isa, and Saif, as well as the Ras Kanatib power station, which supplies electricity to Ibb and Taizz. One of the targets was the Galaxy Leader, a commercial ship previously hijacked by the Houthis and allegedly used to track maritime traffic.

Katz described the operation as part of "Operation Black Flag," warning the Houthis “will continue to pay a heavy price.” He added, “Anyone who tries to harm Israel will be harmed.”

Houthi Response And Rising Tensions

The Houthi military said its air defences confronted the Israeli strikes with a “large number” of domestically produced surface-to-air missiles. Shortly after the strikes, two missiles were reportedly fired from Yemen into Israel, triggering air raid sirens in multiple areas.

Houthi-run media confirmed that Hudaydah was hit, though it provided no details on casualties. The Israeli military stated the attacks were a response to repeated assaults by the Houthis against Israeli citizens and assets.

Escalation In Regional Conflict

The Houthis have launched dozens of attacks since the Israel-Hamas war began, including targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea and firing missiles at Israeli territory. Israeli officials allege the targeted ports serve as conduits for Iranian weapon transfers used in “terror plans.”

The strike marks another expansion in the regional dimensions of the Gaza war, as tensions between Israel and Iran-aligned actors continue to intensify.