Israel launches airstrikes targeting Yemen's Houthi rebels, and Houthis launch missile at Israel

The Israeli military also said it struck the Galaxy Leader, a vehicle-carrying vessel that the Houthis seized back in November 2023 when they began their attacks in the Red Sea corridor over the Israel-Hamas war.

Israel attacked ports and facilities held by Yemen’s Houthi rebels early on Monday morning, with the rebels responding with missile fire targeting Israel. The IDF said it struck Houthi-held ports of Hodeida, Ras Isa and Salif as well as the Ras Kanatib power plant. “These ports are used by the Houthi terrorist regime to transfer weapons from the Iranian regime, which are employed to carry out terrorist operations against the State of Israel and its allies,” claimed an Israeli military spokesperson. The Houthis acknowledged the Israeli strikes but did not say how severe the damage was. Military spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree said their air defences forces “effectively controlled” the assault. An attack was then reportedly launched by the Houthis against Israel in exchange. The Israeli military said it had attempted to intercept the missile, but it appeared to make impact. There was no immediate report of casualties. The attacks follow reports that a Liberian-flagged ship was fired upon on Sunday, forcing its crew to abandon the vessel. Suspicion immediately fell on the Houthis, with a security firm saying it appeared bomb-carrying drone boats hit the ship after it was targeted by small arms and grenades. Houthi media reported on the attack but did not claim it. The attack comes at a sensitive time as a possible ceasefire between Israel and Hamas hangs in the balance, as well as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s arrival to the US. US President Donald Trump has targeted the Houthi rebels in major airstrikes since re-assuming office. A renewed Houthi campaign against shipping could draw both the US and other Western forces into the area.