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Israeli fighter jets launched a series of airstrikes on the Houthi-controlled port city of Hodeidah in Yemen on Monday evening, in retaliation for a ballistic missile attack on Ben Gurion Airport the previous day.
The missile attack, claimed by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, injured six people and caused significant damage near the airport’s main terminal.
The Israeli Air Force (IAF) deployed approximately 20 fighter jets in the operation, targeting Houthi infrastructure along Yemen’s western coast, including the Hodeidah port and a concrete factory located near Bajil, about 2,000 kilometers from Israel.
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), a total of 50 munitions were dropped on these sites, severely impacting Houthi capabilities.
The IDF emphasized that the Hodeidah port had been a key hub for transferring Iranian weapons and military supplies to Houthi forces, while the Bajil factory had been used to manufacture tunnels and other military infrastructure for the rebels.
The IAF operation was part of Israel’s broader efforts to neutralize the threat posed by the Houthi missile and drone strikes launched against Israeli territory. This marked the sixth Israeli strike on Yemen since the beginning of the conflict, and the first since January 2025.
Despite previous retaliations being less frequent, the recent escalation following the Ben Gurion attack saw Israel resuming its aggressive stance against the Houthi regime.
Israeli officials confirmed that the airstrikes were carried out in coordination with the United States but were not part of a joint operation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other senior officials, including Defense Minister Israel Katz and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen.
Eyal Zamir, oversaw the operation from Tel Aviv. They were seen in images released by the Defense Ministry, gathered at the IAF’s underground headquarters during the mission’s execution.
The missile fired from Yemen on Sunday struck a grove near Ben Gurion Airport’s Terminal 3, causing a crater but no fatalities.
However, the blast injured six individuals, all of whom were later treated for non-life-threatening wounds. The attack caused several international airlines to suspend flights to the airport for safety reasons.
In response to the missile strike, the Houthis issued a statement claiming responsibility for the attack, describing it as a “hypersonic ballistic missile” aimed at Israel.
The IDF disputed the claim, stating that the missile used was not hypersonic, as Iran and the Houthis lack the technology to produce such weapons.
The escalating tensions come amid ongoing missile and drone attacks from the Houthis, who have launched more than 60 projectiles at Israel since late 2023, including multiple attacks that have targeted civilian infrastructure and airports.
Israel has maintained a defensive stance, relying heavily on its advanced missile defense systems to intercept incoming threats.
In a show of defiance, Nasruddin Amer, the head of the Houthi media office, vowed that the recent Israeli strikes would not deter the group from its operations against Israel.
The Houthis, whose slogan includes calls for “Death to America, Death to Israel,” have repeatedly threatened further attacks, particularly aimed at disrupting Israeli air traffic.
Meanwhile, Iran, which is believed to have been providing support to the Houthis, denied any involvement in the missile attack on Ben Gurion.
The Iranian government called the strike an “independent decision” made by the rebels in solidarity with Palestinians, while warning of consequences for any further Israeli action against its territory.
As tensions continue to rise, both Israel and the United States have made it clear that they will not hesitate to respond to any further provocations from the Houthis or their backers in Tehran.