Israel Launches Airstrikes on Yemen’s Hodeidah Port in Retaliation for Houthi Missile Attack on Tel Aviv

Hodeidah, Yemen
Israeli warplanes launched a series of airstrikes on Yemen’s vital Red Sea port of Hodeidah on Sunday, 5 May 2025, in retaliation for a missile attack by the Iran-backed Houthi militia on Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv. The Houthi attack, which took place on Saturday, injured four people and caused significant disruption to flight operations.

According to multiple media sources, at least six airstrikes were carried out by nearly 30 Israeli fighter jets, targeting Hodeidah port, nearby infrastructure, and a cement plant suspected of being used for military purposes by the Houthi rebels. Eyewitnesses and posts on social media platform X reported massive fires and thick plumes of smoke rising from the port area, raising fears of extensive destruction.

The attack has reignited concerns over the deepening humanitarian crisis in Yemen. Hodeidah port serves as a critical lifeline for more than 70% of Yemen’s commercial imports and 80% of its humanitarian aid. The bombing of this strategic hub has triggered warnings from humanitarian organisations about the potential worsening of famine and medical shortages.

Government Officials Condemn Houthi Provocations

Walid Al-Qudaimi, First Deputy Governor of Hodeidah, publicly blamed the Houthi militia for dragging Yemen into unnecessary conflict. Speaking to Al-Hadath TV and in a post on X, he said:

“The Houthi militia fires rockets that cannot kill a mouse in Israel, and in return, Israel destroys Yemen’s critical infrastructure in Hodeidah. The port, the power station, and the Ras Issa oil facility have all been targeted.”
– @waleedALQudaimi, X

He further stated:

“Tihama and its people are paying the price for all of Yemen. The Houthis are misleading the people by claiming to defend Palestine, while in reality, they are executing Iran’s agenda.”
– @waleedALQudaimi, X

Other senior Yemeni government officials echoed his sentiments:

“Israel destroys Hodeidah Port and surrounding infrastructure. More strikes are likely in retaliation for the Houthis targeting Israeli territory. The Houthis are destroying northern Yemen and killing Yemenis to please Iran.”
– @Drkhalid_3,

“A painful irony: A Houthi-Iranian missile leaves a 4-meter crater in a deserted area near Ben Gurion Airport, but Israel responds by flattening a port and cement factory in Hodeidah.”
– @ali_al_dahab,

Israel-US Coordination Confirmed

An Israeli official confirmed to Axios that the airstrikes were coordinated with the United States, though no direct American military involvement took place. The operation underscores Israel’s determination to retaliate against any threats to its security, particularly from Houthi missiles launched from Yemen under the guise of supporting Palestinians in Gaza.

Humanitarian Risks and Political Fallout

The internationally recognised Yemeni government has not yet issued an official statement, but social media reactions from government figures reflect widespread outrage against the Houthi militia for escalating the situation. The Houthis’ actions are viewed not only as reckless but as part of a decade-long pattern of destruction and betrayal of Yemen’s sovereignty.

Human Rights Watch and other global organisations have previously warned that strikes on Hodeidah’s civilian infrastructure could amount to war crimes, given the devastating impact on millions of civilians. Israel, however, maintains that it is targeting military facilities used by the Houthis.

Conclusion

This latest incident is likely to further intensify regional tensions and lead to additional retaliatory actions between Israel and the Houthi militia. The Yemeni government and its international partners continue to call for restraint and urge the global community to hold the Houthis accountable for endangering the lives of innocent Yemenis and dragging the country into external conflicts.

---