On Monday, Israel conducted airstrikes on Yemen’s strategic Hodeidah port and nearby facilities. Houthi health ministry spokesperson Anees al-Asbahi said the attacks injured nearly 21 people.

Al Jazeera reported that Israel launched the strikes in retaliation for a missile fired by Iran-aligned Houthi rebels. The missile landed near Ben Gurion International Airport on Sunday. This marked the first missile to bypass Israel’s missile defense systems since the Houthis began targeting Israel in late 2023.

Footage shown by Houthi-run media displayed massive explosions and thick smoke rising from the port. The Israeli military confirmed that it struck “terrorist infrastructure” in and around Hodeidah’s port. It identified one target as a cement factory. The military said the factory was used to construct tunnels and other military structures.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also claimed that Hodeidah port served as a hub for Iranian arms transfers to the Houthis. Independent sources have not verified this claim.

The airstrikes followed a high-profile announcement from Houthi leadership. They pledged to impose a “comprehensive aerial blockade” on Israel. They also warned international airlines to stop flights to Israeli airports. They named Ben Gurion Airport as a primary target and cited solidarity with Palestinians amid Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza.

The Houthis’ humanitarian operations coordination centre stated they had notified international aviation bodies. These included the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the UN’s International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). They said they intended to strike Israeli airports repeatedly.

Until now, Israel had intercepted most Houthi missile and drone attacks. But this missile reached the Tel Aviv area without being shot down. The incident raised concerns about Israel’s air defense capabilities and potential regional escalation.

This development has added to the growing tensions in the Red Sea and surrounding regions. The Houthis continue to target Israeli interests and shipping routes. They describe their attacks as retaliation for Israel’s actions in Gaza.