In a significant regional build-up, the Israeli navy shelled Yemen’s rebel-held port city of Hodeida – its first direct strike against Houthi-held territory since the beginning of the Gaza conflict. The surprise naval strike follows as Iran-aligned Houthis ramp up missile and drone strikes against Israel using long-range weapons, including a new barrage overnight that targeted Tel Aviv.
Witnesses reported explosions rocking Hodeida’s crucial Red Sea docks, though damage assessments remain unclear. The strategic port serves as a lifeline for humanitarian aid to Yemen’s war-torn north. Israel’s military confirmed the operation, calling it a “necessary response” to Houthi aggression after the rebels vowed to keep attacking until Gaza ceasefire terms are met.
The strike marks a new ominous phase in regional tensions as Israel now opens a direct maritime front against Yemen’s rebels. Analysts warn the move risks pulling other powers in the Red Sea into the conflict, as Houthi leaders promise ” earth-shaking retaliation” for the unprecedented attack.
