Israel Hammers Houthis with Airstrikes, Rebels Respond Amid Red Sea Flare-Up

July 7, 2025 – Tensions in the Middle East escalated sharply as Israel launched a series of airstrikes targeting Houthi-controlled ports and infrastructure in Yemen, prompting retaliatory missile fire from the Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The strikes, which occurred early Monday, followed a Houthi attack on a Liberian-flagged bulk carrier, Magic Seas, in the Red Sea on Sunday, marking the group’s first maritime assault since December 2024. The incident has reignited fears of a broader conflict disrupting global shipping routes.

Airstrikes Target Houthi Strongholds

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed strikes on key Houthi-held ports, including Hodeidah, Ras Isa, and Salif, as well as the Ras Kanatib power plant and the Galaxy Leader, a vehicle-carrying vessel seized by the Houthis in November 2023. The IDF accused the Houthis of using these ports to transfer Iranian weapons, which are then employed in attacks against Israel and its allies. According to IDF spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani, the Galaxy Leader had been equipped with radar systems to track vessels in international waters, facilitating Houthi "terrorist activity."

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz described the targets as Houthi strongholds, warning that continued aggression would lead to further strikes. "What’s true for Iran is true for Yemen," Katz stated, signaling Israel’s intent to curb Houthi operations linked to Iran’s regional influence. The IDF issued evacuation warnings in Arabic to civilians near the targeted sites, urging them to leave immediately due to ongoing military activities.

Houthi Retaliation and Red Sea Attack

The Houthi attack on the Magic Seas, a Greek-owned bulk carrier, occurred approximately 51 nautical miles southwest of Hodeidah. The assault involved skiffs, bomb-carrying drone boats, small arms, and rocket-propelled grenades, forcing the crew to abandon the vessel after it caught fire and began taking on water. Maritime security firm Ambrey confirmed the ship’s identity, noting the attack’s sophistication and the Houthis’ intent to sink the vessel.

In response to Israel’s airstrikes, the Houthis fired missiles targeting Israel, with the IDF reporting an attempt to intercept one such missile, though it appeared to make impact without immediate reports of injuries. The Houthis framed their actions as solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, claiming the Red Sea attacks aim to disrupt shipping linked to Israel.

Regional and Global Implications

The flare-up comes at a delicate moment, with a potential ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war under discussion and Iran weighing its response to recent U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on its nuclear facilities. The Houthi attacks, backed by Iranian weapons and technology, have raised concerns about renewed disruptions to global trade through the Red Sea, a critical corridor for international shipping. A renewed Houthi campaign could draw U.S. and Western forces back into the region, particularly after previous U.S.-led airstrikes and naval deployments in response to Houthi actions.

Houthi political bureau member Mohammed al-Farah condemned Israel’s strikes, arguing they targeted civilian infrastructure with no military connection. Yemen’s exiled information minister, Moammar al-Eryani, countered by blaming Iran for arming the Houthis with missiles, drones, and sea mines, escalating regional tensions.

Broader Context

The Houthis, who control much of Yemen, have intensified their attacks since the Gaza conflict began in October 2023, citing support for Palestinians. Their actions have included missile and drone strikes on Israel and commercial vessels, disrupting global trade. Israel’s strikes mark the first significant operation against the Houthis in nearly a month, following a series of attacks, including an unprecedented naval strike on June 10, 2025.

As the conflict risks widening beyond Gaza, regional players and global powers are closely monitoring the situation. The U.S., which has previously targeted Houthi infrastructure, views Iran as the primary enabler of the group’s capabilities. U.S. Army General Michael Kurilla recently testified that the Houthis "would die on the vine" without Iranian support.

The Magic Seas crew is reported safe and en route to Djibouti, but the vessel’s fate remains uncertain, with risks of sinking. The international community now faces the challenge of balancing humanitarian concerns in Yemen, where Hodeidah serves as a key entry point for aid, with the need to secure vital maritime routes.