Written by Kelly Were
Hodeidah, Yemen – The Houthi-controlled interior ministry has accused Israel of launching airstrikes on Hodeidah, following warnings issued by the Israeli military for civilians to evacuate Ras Isa, Hodeidah, and Salif ports—locations Israel claims are being used by the Iranian-backed Houthi movement for military operations.
The Israeli army has not officially confirmed the attack, and the Houthi-run state news agency Saba, through its director Nasruddin Amer, outright denied that any strikes took place, labeling the reports as misinformation.
The latest alleged assault comes on the heels of increased tensions in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, where the Houthis have actively targeted vessels and fired long-range missiles and drones toward Israel, citing solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza as their motive.
This flare-up precedes U.S. President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to the Middle East, which is expected to focus heavily on maritime security, Iran’s regional influence, and the growing hostilities linked to the Gaza crisis.
Just last month, Trump authorized a renewed military campaign targeting Houthi infrastructure in Yemen, beginning March 15, which he later scaled back after an Oman-mediated ceasefire was reached. However, that agreement excluded Israel, a point that now appears to be of critical consequence as clashes intensify.
Trump said on Tuesday that the Houthis had agreed to cease disruptions to vital global shipping lanes, particularly those through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a strategic artery for oil and goods transit. If verified, the Israeli strikes risk undermining that fragile diplomatic progress.
Analysts warn that continued Israeli strikes—especially amid Houthi claims of restraint toward shipping—could draw Yemen deeper into the Israel-Gaza conflict theatre. It also places additional pressure on regional diplomacy, especially with U.S. and Gulf state stakeholders now trying to juggle de-escalation goals with security assurances to key allies.
With Israel maintaining a veil of silence over the alleged airstrikes and the Houthis denying the incident altogether, the truth remains shrouded in strategic ambiguity. Meanwhile, international observers are watching closely, wary of another flashpoint in an already volatile Middle East landscape.
