Israel says it struck Houthi ports and seized cargo ship in Yemen

The Israeli navy says it has carried out air strikes on Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen in response to repeated missile and drone assaults on Israel.

The navy mentioned the targets had been the Crimson Sea ports of Hudaydah, Ras Issa and al-Salif, a close-by energy station, and the cargo ship Galaxy Chief. The ship, hijacked by the Houthis in November 2023, was getting used to observe worldwide delivery, in accordance with the navy.

The Houthis’ navy spokesman mentioned the Iran-backed group’s air defences “efficiently” confronted the Israeli assault. There have been no studies of any casualties.

Following the strikes, two missiles had been launched from Yemen in direction of Israel, in accordance with the Israeli navy.

Sirens had been triggered in a number of areas of the occupied West Financial institution and southern Israel. The navy mentioned it was reviewing its try to intercept the missiles.

Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV reported that the strikes on Sunday night time hit the ports in addition to the Ras Kanatib energy station, north of Hudaydah, however it offered no additional particulars on harm or casualties.

The Israeli navy mentioned about 20 fighter jets carried out the operation “in response to the repeated assaults by the Houthi terrorist regime in opposition to the State of Israel, its civilians, and civilian infrastructure, together with the launching of UAVs and surface-to-surface missiles towards Israeli territory”.

It alleged that the ports had been used to switch weapons from Iran and that Houthi forces had put in a radar system on the Bahamas-flagged Galaxy Chief “to trace vessels within the worldwide maritime area to facilitate additional terrorist actions”.

The Israeli navy mentioned the Ras Kanatib energy plant, which provides electrical energy to the close by cities of Ibb and Taizz, was used to energy Houthi navy operations.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz warned that the Houthis “will proceed to pay a heavy worth for his or her actions”.

“The destiny of Yemen is identical because the destiny of Tehran. Anybody who tries to hurt Israel might be harmed, and anybody who raises a hand in opposition to Israel may have their hand reduce off,” he mentioned in a publish on X.

Houthi navy spokesman Yahya Sarea mentioned in an announcement on Monday that the group’s air defences “succeeded in confronting the Zionist aggression in opposition to our nation and thwarting its plan to focus on plenty of Yemeni cities”.

“In retaliation to this aggression, and in continuation of triumphing for the oppressed Palestinian individuals, the missile and UAV forces carried out a joint navy operation utilizing 11 missiles and drones,” he added, figuring out the targets as Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion airport, the ports of Ashdod and Eilat, and an influence station in Ashkelon.

Sarea additionally declared that the Houthis had been “absolutely ready for a sustained and extended confrontation” with Israel.

The Houthis have managed a lot of north-western Yemen since 2014, after they ousted the internationally-recognised authorities from the capital, Sanaa, and sparked a devastating civil warfare.

For the reason that begin of the warfare between Israel and Hamas in Gaza in October 2023, the Houthis have often launched missiles at Israel and attacked business ships within the Crimson Sea and Gulf of Aden, saying they’re appearing in solidarity with the Palestinians.

They’ve to this point sunk two vessels, seized a 3rd – the Galaxy Star – and killed 4 crew members. The 25-strong crew of Galaxy Chief had been launched in January 2025.

In Could, the Houthis agreed a ceasefire cope with the US following seven weeks of intensified US strikes on Yemen in response to the assaults on worldwide delivery.

Nonetheless, the group mentioned the settlement didn’t embody an finish to assaults on Israel, which has carried out a number of rounds of retaliatory strikes on Yemen.

In Could, Israeli navy ships struck targets in Hudaydah, which is the primary entry level for meals and different humanitarian support for hundreds of thousands of Yemenis.

Additionally on Sunday, a Liberian-flagged, Greek-operated bulk service Magic Seas got here underneath assault within the Crimson Sea.

The UK Maritime Commerce Operations (UKMTO) company mentioned the ship was 51 nautical miles (94km) south of Hudaydah when it hit by gunfire and self-propelled grenades fired from a number of small boats. Armed safety groups on board returned fireplace, it added.

Maritime safety agency Ambrey mentioned the Magic Seas was later additionally focused with 4 unmanned floor autos, or sea drones, and missiles. Two of the drones hit the port aspect of the vessel, damaging it cargo and inflicting a fireplace, it added.

The UKMTO mentioned the crew had been protected after being rescued by a passing service provider vessel.

The Houthis have to this point not claimed the assault.