For the First Time: Israeli Navy Strikes Houthi Port in Response to Missile Attacks

For the first time ever, Israeli Navy missile ships have carried out a direct strike on the port of Hodeidah in Yemen, a key stronghold of the Houthi movement. The early morning operation marked a significant departure from previous attacks in Yemen, which had all been conducted by the Israeli Air Force.

According to the IDF spokesperson, the strike targeted port infrastructure used by the Houthi regime to launch attacks against Israel. “Navy missile ships struck Houthi terrorist regime targets at the port of Hodeidah in Yemen. The strike was in direct response to the continued aggression by the Houthi regime, which has launched ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles at Israel and its civilians,” the statement read.

The Israeli military emphasized that the port has been used repeatedly over the past year to smuggle and transfer weapons, and warned civilians to stay away from the area. “This facility has been exploited for military purposes and is another example of the Houthi regime’s cynical use of civilian infrastructure for terrorism. The strike followed numerous advance warnings issued to minimize risk to the local population,” the IDF added.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz praised the Navy for its success. “I commend the Israeli Navy for the effective strike on the Hodeidah port. Israel’s long arm reaches everywhere, both in the air and at sea. We warned the Houthis that further attacks on Israel would result in a powerful response and a tightening of the naval and aerial siege. Today we acted, and we will continue to act as necessary.”

Houthi spokesman Nasr al Din Amer confirmed the strike on social media platform X, stating that two missiles hit the port pier, and noted that this was the first attack conducted by Israeli naval forces rather than air power. He linked the strike to earlier threats made by senior Houthi officials that any future Israeli air strikes in Yemen would be met with retaliation. “The Zionist enemy has claimed responsibility for the attack on Hodeidah, which came after our leadership warned against renewed air strikes in Yemen. Our air defenses are ready,” he said.

The IDF spokesperson in Arabic had already issued a warning the day prior, calling for evacuation of three key ports, Ras Issa, Hodeidah, and al Salif, citing their use in Houthi terrorist activity. The military reiterated that these warnings would remain in place until further notice.

The last Israeli strike in Yemen took place roughly two weeks ago, targeting Sanaa International Airport in a mission known as Golden Jewel. According to Yemeni reports, the airport was struck several times, with Defense Minister Katz stating that Israel destroyed the last operational aircraft used by the Houthis.

On Monday, the Houthis launched another missile toward Israel, which fell short and did not trigger air raid sirens. Their last successful launch that activated alarms occurred on Thursday evening, during large protests in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. That missile, aimed at central Israel, was intercepted. The Houthis later claimed responsibility, saying the attack was retaliation for what they described as the starvation of Gaza and Israeli air strikes in Beirut’s Dahiyeh district.