A major Israeli airstrike on key Houthi-held infrastructure in Yemen has sparked immediate retaliation, marking a dangerous flare-up in the ongoing regional conflict linked to Red Sea security and the Gaza war.

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by Shayan Gutman, VJ Staff Writer

In a dramatic escalation of regional tensions, Israel launched a wide-ranging air assault early Sunday on multiple Houthi-controlled sites in Yemen, targeting ports, power infrastructure, and a commandeered ship believed to be aiding attacks on Israeli-linked vessels. The Houthis responded within hours by firing ballistic missiles toward Israel, signaling that the confrontation between the two sides is far from over.

The Israeli military described the operation—reportedly involving around 20 fighter jets—as a direct response to Houthi aggression in the Red Sea and recent missile threats. Among the primary targets were the key ports of Hodeidah, Salif, and Ras Isa, all located along Yemen’s western coast. The airstrikes also hit a major power station in the Ras Khatib area, plunging parts of Hodeidah city into darkness.

One of the most notable targets was the Galaxy Leader, a cargo ship seized by the Houthis in late 2023 and anchored off Yemen’s coast. Israel claims the vessel had been repurposed into a surveillance hub used to support maritime attacks on Israeli and Western shipping in the Red Sea.

Speaking shortly after the operation, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned that Israel would not tolerate attacks from afar. “Anyone who thinks they can strike us from hundreds of kilometers away and go unpunished is making a grave mistake,” he said. “Our response will be swift and decisive.”

In response to the Israeli strikes, Houthi militants launched two ballistic missiles toward southern Israel. Sirens were reported in cities including Eilat and parts of the southern Negev Desert, though no casualties or major damage have been confirmed so far. The missiles were reportedly intercepted or fell in open areas.

Houthi military officials claimed they had “effectively countered” the Israeli operation using ground-based air defenses and vowed to continue their campaign until Israeli operations in Gaza cease. They have long positioned their attacks as acts of solidarity with Palestinians, part of a broader “Axis of Resistance” that includes Iran and its regional allies.

The Israeli attack on Yemen marks one of the most aggressive moves in the Red Sea theater since tensions flared following the October 2023 Hamas-led assault on Israel and the ensuing war in Gaza. In the months since, the Houthis have launched dozens of missile and drone attacks on Israeli territory and on commercial ships they associate with Israel or its allies.

This latest flare-up underscores the complexity of the regional conflict. The Houthis, though based in Yemen and originally focused on their civil war against the Saudi-backed Yemeni government, have increasingly become an international player thanks to their access to Iranian-supplied weaponry and their strategic location near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait—a vital artery for global trade.

International observers are growing increasingly concerned about the implications of these attacks. Any prolonged disruption to shipping in the Red Sea threatens to shake global supply chains already under stress. Western naval forces, including U.S. and European warships, have been patrolling the area in recent months to deter Houthi missile launches, but with limited success.

Diplomatically, Israel’s decision to strike deep into Yemen reflects a growing willingness to project force far beyond its immediate borders in pursuit of deterrence. But critics warn that these actions risk drawing Israel deeper into regional proxy battles—especially with Iran lurking in the background.

For now, the exchange between Israel and the Houthis appears to have quieted, but there are no signs of de-escalation. Both sides seem prepared for more confrontation, with Israel vowing further action if necessary, and the Houthis promising to maintain their pressure campaign as long as the war in Gaza continues.

The Red Sea may once again be a flashpoint in a conflict with no easy off-ramp.