On the 578th day of heightened regional conflict, Israel launched airstrikes on Yemen’s Hodeidah Port on May 5, 2025, targeting infrastructure linked to the Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The operation, involving 20 Israeli fighter jets and 50 munitions, came as a direct response to a Houthi missile strike near Ben Gurion International Airport on May 4, which injured eight people and temporarily halted flights. The Israeli military described the strikes as a “blow” to the Houthi economy and military capabilities, escalating tensions in an already volatile region.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that the airstrikes targeted Hodeidah Port, a critical hub handling 80% of Yemen’s food imports, as well as a nearby cement factory in Bajil District, which Israel claims was used for military purposes, including Iranian arms transfers. The operation followed a Houthi ballistic missile attack on Ben Gurion Airport, which penetrated Israel’s air defenses, marking a rare failure for the IDF’s sophisticated missile defense systems. The Houthis, who have launched 27 ballistic missiles and several drones at Israel since March 18, 2025, claimed the airport attack as a demonstration of their reach, with their media office head, Nasruddin Amer, stating, “No force can stop us.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, overseeing the operation from Tel Aviv, vowed a “sevenfold” retaliation, signaling a broader response to both the Houthis and their Iranian backers.
Official statements reflect the high stakes of the conflict. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir emphasized the strategic intent, saying, “The strikes aim to degrade Houthi military infrastructure and disrupt their economic lifeline.” On the Yemeni side, a senior Houthi official told Al-Mayadeen, a Lebanese outlet, that the port was a civilian facility used by UN organizations, accusing Israel of targeting humanitarian infrastructure. The Israeli operation was coordinated with the United States, which itself conducted strikes near Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, on the same day, targeting Houthi positions as part of Operation Rough Rider, initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump in March 2025.
The strikes occur against a backdrop of escalating regional hostilities tied to the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza, which resumed in March 2025 after a brief ceasefire. The Houthis, part of Iran’s “Axis of Resistance,” have intensified attacks on Israel and Red Sea shipping since the Gaza war began on October 7, 2023, framing their actions as solidarity with Palestinians. Israel’s response marks a shift from its earlier restraint—since Trump’s request, Israel had largely refrained from striking Yemen, leaving the U.S. to lead operations against the Houthis. However, the airport attack prompted a policy revision, with Israeli officials signaling a more direct approach to Houthi aggression. The conflict has also drawn in other global players, with the U.S. and UK previously targeting Houthi drone manufacturing sites, though these efforts have failed to deter the group.
Reactions to the strikes are sharply divided. In Israel, security officials and some citizens view the operation as a necessary escalation to counter Houthi threats, with one Tel Aviv resident posting on X, “We can’t let missiles hit our airports—Israel had to act.” In Yemen, however, the strikes have fueled outrage, with posts on X calling them “war crimes” for targeting civilian infrastructure. Humanitarian groups have raised alarms about the impact on Yemen’s already dire situation, where 25 million people rely on Hodeidah for food and medicine. One X user, identifying as a Yemeni civilian, wrote, “This doesn’t hurt the Houthis—it hurts us. Hunger will only worsen.”
The consequences of the strikes are multifaceted. Economically, the damage to Hodeidah Port—reportedly 70% destroyed—threatens to exacerbate Yemen’s humanitarian crisis, potentially leading to shortages of food, fuel, and medical supplies. Militarily, the Houthis remain defiant, vowing to intensify their operations against Israel. Politically, the strikes have further strained U.S.-Yemen relations, with the Houthis blaming Washington for complicity in the attack. In Israel, the operation has bolstered domestic support for Netanyahu’s hardline stance but also heightened fears of a broader regional war involving Iran.
The future remains uncertain as both sides dig in. Israel has signaled potential further strikes, with Netanyahu stating, “We will act again at a time and place of our choosing.” The Houthis, undeterred, have promised retaliation, raising the specter of more missile attacks on Israeli targets. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict appear stalled, with the U.S. continuing its own campaign against the Houthis, which has killed over 300 people since March. As the region braces for potential escalation, the international community faces growing pressure to address the humanitarian fallout in Yemen and prevent a wider conflict that could further destabilize the Middle East.
