Israel conducts air attacks on Yemen's Houthi militants, prompting Houthi retaliation with a missile attack against Israel.
In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, the Israeli military launched a series of airstrikes against Yemen's Houthi rebels on Monday morning. The attacks targeted ports and facilities held by the rebels, including Hodeida, Ras Isa, Salif, and the Ras Kanatib power plant.
The attacks come in retaliation for the ongoing missile attacks launched by the Houthis against Israel and shipping routes in the Red Sea. The Houthis, who have been supporting the Palestinian cause, have been increasingly active in this regard since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023.
The Houthis' military spokesperson claimed their air defences effectively controlled the Israeli assault. However, the Israeli military attempted to intercept the Houthi missiles, but one appeared to make impact. The Houthis reportedly launched an attack against Israel in response to the Israeli strikes, with Houthi media reporting an attack on a Liberian-flagged ship on Sunday, forcing its crew to abandon the vessel. A security firm suggests bomb-carrying drone boats were used in the attack.
The targeted ports include the Liberian-flagged ship Galaxy Leader, a vehicle-carrying vessel seized by the Houthis in November 2023. The strikes on Hodeidah resulted in the city losing power due to the damage inflicted on the main power station, although no casualties were immediately reported.
The broader impact of this escalation includes the potential widening of the conflict beyond Gaza and Israel's immediate borders, opening a new front in the Red Sea area. The renewed Houthi campaign risks drawing increased involvement from regional and Western actors, including the U.S., which previously led airstrike campaigns against the Houthis. This could complicate diplomatic efforts for ceasefire or stability in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The timing of these hostilities coincides with sensitive diplomatic negotiations involving Iran’s nuclear program and ceasefire discussions in the Middle East, which could be further destabilized by escalation in Yemen. The EU is offering five options over Israeli human rights breaches, and a rally was held in Tel Aviv to call for the release of the remaining hostages held in Gaza.
This escalation underscores the complex regional dynamics at play, with the Houthis acting as an Iranian proxy attacking Israel from Yemen. The attacks on Israeli shipping and the missile strikes represent a significant extension of hostilities linked to the Israel-Hamas war. The situation remains volatile, and further developments are expected.
Politicians and media outlets are discussing the increasing involvement of the Houthis in war-and-conflicts, particularly their missile attacks against Israel and shipping routes in the Red Sea, which have led to a significant extension of hostilities linked to the Israel-Hamas war. The ongoing actions by the Houthis, who have been supporting the Palestinian cause, may draw increased politics and general-news attention, potentially complicating diplomatic efforts for ceasefire or stability in the Middle East.
