Israel Bombs Three Ports and a Power Plant in Yemen; Houthi Rebels Fire Missiles at Jerusalem in Retaliation
Jerusalem | July 7, 2025
The Israeli military has carried out airstrikes on three ports and a power plant located in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen, prompting the Houthis to launch retaliatory missile attacks toward Israel.
On Sunday, Israeli forces bombed the ports of Hudaydah, Ras Isa, and As-Salif, along with the Ras Kathib power station near the Hudaydah coastline. Israel also claimed to have targeted a radar system on the "Galaxy Leader" ship, which remains under Houthi control.
No casualties were immediately reported.
This marks Israel's first strike on Yemen in nearly a month. Earlier on Sunday, the Israeli military reported intercepting a missile launched by the Houthis. Hours later, Israeli jets carried out the overnight strikes.
In retaliation, Houthi rebels fired missiles toward Israel early Monday morning. According to the Israeli military, two missiles were launched from Yemen, and efforts were made to intercept them. Sirens sounded in Jerusalem, Hebron, and areas near the Dead Sea as a result.
Israel's emergency services confirmed that no casualties or damage were reported from the missile attack.
The Houthi movement stated that the attacks were carried out in solidarity with Palestinians and in protest against Israeli aggression in Gaza. Since the war in Gaza began in 2023, the Houthis have launched hundreds of missiles toward Israel and attacked over 100 commercial ships in the Red Sea corridor.
After a ceasefire was reached between Hamas and Israel in January, Houthi attacks had temporarily ceased. However, they resumed after U.S. airstrikes in Yemen in mid-March reportedly killed around 300 people over several weeks.
Houthi-affiliated Al Masirah TV reported that Hudaydah city was damaged in the latest Israeli assault. Yemen's state news agency Saba confirmed the strikes on the three ports and the power plant.
Houthi spokesperson Amin Hayyan claimed that their air defense systems forced several Israeli warplanes to retreat. He said locally made surface-to-air missiles had created "serious confusion among enemy pilots and operation centers."
Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Sanaa, Nabil Al-Yousifi, reported that the Houthis were downplaying the impact of the Israeli strikes.
“They say their air defense systems strongly resisted the attack. The clashes between Houthi defenses and Israeli aircraft lasted around 30 minutes,” Yousifi stated.
“So far, the Houthis have not acknowledged any casualties or material damage. Instead, they emphasize that their armed forces are fully prepared and ready to launch further retaliatory attacks against Israel.”
Amid the tensions, a commercial cargo ship in the Red Sea was attacked with grenades and drones, causing a fire and forcing the crew to abandon the vessel. While no group has claimed responsibility, the UK’s maritime security agency said the method of attack matched tactics previously used by the Houthis.
