Tel Aviv/Aden: July 7-2025
Israel conducted a series of airstrikes against Houthi-controlled ports and installations in Yemen early Monday, prompting Iran-aligned rebels to launch two ballistic missiles toward Israeli territory. These strikes mark Israel’s most significant attack against Yemen since May and escalate an ongoing confrontation which has disrupted Red Sea trade and contributed to regional instability.
Israeli Airstrikes Strike Multiple Targets
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) used about 20 warplanes for this operation, striking Houthi positions at ports like Hodeidah, Ras Isa and Salif, along with Ras Kanatib power station on Yemen’s Red Sea coast as well as hijacked cargo ship Galaxy Leader seized by Houthis and used for surveillance. [ft.com, apnews and reuters all reported].
According to IDF reports, these sites were being utilized by Iranian agents for arms transfers destined to support attacks against Israel and its allies by Iran (i24news.tv; Politco).
Israeli air strikes were pre-announced via evacuation warnings, underscoring their intent to minimize civilian harm (yahoo.com/14/15; reuters.com/15/18 and times.co.uk/15/19).
This marks the first Israeli air offensive in Yemen since early May, when a Houthi missile attack near Ben Gurion Airport precipitated similar retaliatory action from Israeli jets. [ en.wikipedia.org +14 |
Houthi Missile Retaliation Within hours of the airstrikes, Houthis launched two ballistic missiles from Yemen towards Israel, setting off alarm sirens in areas including the Dead Sea region (abcnews.go.com +15, reuters.com +15 and Yahoo +15).
Israeli defense systems successfully intercepted both projectiles without reporting casualties; Houthi media claimed their air defenses attempted to counter the Israeli attack and announced coordinated missile and drone launches in reprisal; these incidents are all documented on Wikipedia as having taken place, with Israeli media noting this on many occasions (en.wikipedia.org; +5 for each); on each occasion Israeli defense systems intercepted both projectiles without casualties being reported as reported on by Houthi media (en.wikipedia.org, +5, ft.com +5); Houthi media claimed their air defenses attempted countering the Israeli attack with coordinated missile and drone launches of their own, according to Houthi media reports (en.wikipedia.org +5; +5) in reprisal for Israeli’s offensive, whilst Houthi media claimed their air defenses attempted counter measures against their air defenses attempts by counterattack; Houthi media reported coordinated missile and drone launches from Yemen as an act of reprisal). (Sources: +5) for this article = 10/20 @ @ nypost +5, with 5+5.
No immediate confirmation was available of Israeli damage.
Drivers of Escalation
The airstrikes followed an ongoing series of Houthi attacks against Red Sea shipping–most recently the Magic Seas bulk carrier which was attacked near Hodeidah with rocket-propelled grenades and drone boats, prompting its captain to abandon it before its captain returned after receiving injuries during its attack (reuters.com/+6 and AP News/+6)
Since late 2023, Houthis have initiated over one hundred attacks against merchant shipping vessels as part of a show of solidarity with Gaza (yahoo.com, apnews.com and ft.com all report this as happening).
Israel holds Iran accountable for providing rebel forces with advanced weaponry, providing the justification for current reciprocal strikes between both countries.
Strategic Implications Israel Defense Minister Israel Katz recently warned any country threatening Israel “will have their hand cut off,” further demonstrating Israel’s policy of aggressive retaliation and reinforcing an aggressive policy of aggressive retaliation (en.wikipedia.org + 2 @reuters.com).
U.S. and allied naval forces had led anti-Houthi operations before, but this latest air campaign appears unilateral and highlights Israel’s independence stance.
Regional analysts warn this escalation could bring global powers back into Red Sea military operations, at an extremely precarious moment when US-Iran nuclear negotiations and peace talks around Gaza remain fragile.
Geopolitical Analysts Warn of Risks to Global Shipping and Civilians
Geopolitical analysts warn that further attacks in Yemen could disrupt the vital Red Sea maritime corridor, increasing insurance costs and forcing shipping route diversions. In Yemen’s humanitarian crisis may deepen if critical infrastructure such as power stations and ports used for aid delivery are damaged in further strikes – something analysts of geopolitics expect will happen eventually if an attack on key Red Sea maritime corridor targets continues.
What Happens Next
Israel has pledged further action against any future threats posed by Iran or Houthis rebel groups. Both have threatened retaliatory missile and drone strikes from their side.
Maritime security watchers await reactions from U.S. and European navies following multiple shipping disruptions, as diplomatic efforts to de-escalate this ripple conflict increase–although lasting peace may prove challenging as regional alliances shift rapidly.