The conflict in the Red Sea and surrounding regions continues to escalate, with the Israeli military conducting a fresh attack on Houthi targets in Yemen’s Hodeidah port on Monday. This latest assault is part of an ongoing response to the Iran-backed Houthi militants’ sustained campaign of striking ships bound for Israel and launching missiles against Israeli territory.
Israeli Strikes on Hodeidah Port
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that the military is “forcefully countering any attempt to restore the terror infrastructure previously attacked.” The Israeli military’s statement clarified that the attacked port infrastructure had been used, “among other things, to transfer weapons from the Iranian regime, which are then used by the Houthi to execute terrorist attacks against the State of Israel and its allies.” This marks Israel’s continued focus on disrupting what it perceives as the Houthis’ military capabilities and their supply lines from Iran.
This recent strike on Hodeidah is not an isolated incident. Satellite imagery from July 14, 2025, after previous Israeli strikes earlier in July, indicated heavy crater damage to Hodeidah, limiting fuel operations, but also showed that fuel shipments were continuing through alternative offloading methods. This suggests a persistent cat-and-mouse game between Israeli military action and Houthi adaptability.
Houthi Motivation and Retaliation
The Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping and missile launches against Israel began in October 2023, following the commencement of Israel’s war in Gaza against Hamas. The Houthis explicitly state these actions are acts of solidarity with the Palestinians.
In response to the Hodeidah attack and the ongoing military campaign against Gaza, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree announced on Monday that the group had attacked several targets in Israel with drones. This indicates a clear pattern of escalation and direct retaliation between the two parties.
Impact on Shipping and Broader Geopolitical Context
The Houthi’s maritime campaign has significantly disrupted global shipping through the vital Red Sea waterway. Earlier in July, the Houthis claimed responsibility for an attack on the Greek ship Eternity C, which tragically resulted in four fatalities among the 25 people aboard. This highlights the severe and direct human cost of the conflict on commercial maritime operations.
A significant development occurred in May when the United States announced a surprise deal with the Houthis, agreeing to halt a bombing campaign against them in exchange for an end to shipping attacks. However, the Houthis clarified that this deal did not include sparing Israel-linked vessels, indicating a continued focus on their stated aim of supporting Palestinians in Gaza.
The Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz issued a stark warning to the Houthis: “As I have made clear – Yemen’s fate is the same as Tehran’s. The Houthis will pay a heavy price for launching missiles toward the State of Israel.” This statement underscores the perception of the Houthis as an Iranian proxy and suggests Israel’s readiness to take further, potentially more severe, action.
The ongoing conflict in the Red Sea remains a critical concern for global trade and regional stability, with direct military engagements and retaliatory strikes indicating a deepening, rather than de-escalating, crisis.
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Source: Reuters
