Israeli Defense Forces carry out airstrikes in Yemen, causing explosions in Hodeidah.
In a significant escalation against the Iran-backed Houthi group, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) conducted a major series of airstrikes overnight on July 6-7, 2025. The operation, codenamed "Operation Black Flag," targeted Houthi rebel infrastructure at key ports in Yemen, including Hodeidah, Al-Salif, and Ras Issa, as well as the Ras Kanatib power plant and the hijacked commercial vessel, the Galaxy Leader.
The strikes were a direct response to repeated Houthi attacks on Israel, including drone and missile strikes targeting civilian areas within Israeli territory. The Houthis have used Yemen's ports and coastline strategically to transfer weapons supplied by Iran, which are then used in hostile operations against Israel and its allies.
One of the key targets was the Galaxy Leader, a commercial ship hijacked by the Houthis in November 2023 and fitted with a radar system to track maritime traffic for potential offensive actions. This vessel had been used by the Houthis for surveillance and operational planning in international waters.
Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the strikes were part of a broader campaign to disrupt the Houthis’ operational capabilities in the maritime domain, degrading their ability to transfer weapons and conduct terror attacks both against Israel and on international shipping routes.
The Ras Kanatib power plant, which served as a significant electricity supply facility for the Houthi regime's military operations, was also struck. The military described the operation as a necessary retaliation to the ongoing Houthi attacks on Israeli soil and threats to maritime security in the Red Sea.
In response, Houthi representatives condemned the attacks as "aggression" and "criminal acts" targeting civilian infrastructure, accusing Israel of harming the Yemeni population with U.S. support. The Houthis also claimed to have carried out retaliatory rocket attacks against Israel, although Israeli defense systems intercepted the threats.
No casualties were reported in this incident. The IDF is determined to continue operating decisively against any threat to the citizens of Israel, wherever required. The airspace was temporarily closed for landings and takeoffs, and sirens were triggered in the Judean Desert and Dead Sea areas.
On Tuesday evening, another missile launch from Yemen toward Israel was detected, and air defense systems successfully intercepted the threat. The IDF issued an evacuation notice for Yemen's ports of Hodeidah, Ras Issa, and Al-Salif, and the Hodeidah-Ras Al-Khatib power station. One missile launched from Yemen was intercepted, and no casualties were reported by Magen David Adom (MDA).
The Houthi terrorist regime serves as a central proxy of the Iranian regime and receives funding and weaponry for its operations. The IDF stated that the strikes were in response to repeated attacks by the Houthi terrorist regime against Israel and its allies. The military spokesperson of the Houthis, Yahya Saree, claimed that the group targeted Ben Gurion Airport in a missile attack on Israel.
Sources: [1] The Jerusalem Post. (2025, July 7). Israel strikes Houthi military sites in Yemen amid escalating tensions. https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-719670 [2] The Times of Israel. (2025, July 7). Israel strikes Houthi targets in Yemen in response to rockets fired at Tel Aviv. https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-strikes-houthi-targets-in-yemen-in-response-to-rockets-fired-at-tel-aviv/ [3] Reuters. (2025, July 7). Israel launches strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-launches-strikes-against-houthi-targets-yemen-2025-07-07/ [4] Haaretz. (2025, July 7). Israel strikes Houthi targets in Yemen in response to rocket fire on Tel Aviv. https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-israel-strikes-houthi-targets-in-yemen-in-response-to-rocket-fire-on-tel-aviv-1.9829480
- In the realm of general news and politics, ongoing war-and-conflicts between Israel and the Iran-backed Houthi group have escalated, as evidenced by Israel's series of airstrikes on July 6-7, 2025, targeting Houthi infrastructure in Yemen.
- As part of the broad campaign against the Houthi group, Israel also targeted crime-and-justice issues such as the seizure of commercial vessels, like the Galaxy Leader, which was hijacked in November 2023 and used for surveillance and operational planning in international waters.
