Tensions in the Red Sea escalated sharply as Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Houthi-controlled ports and facilities in Yemen early Monday. The strikes specifically targeted the ports of Hodeida, Ras Isa, and Salif, as well as the Ras Kanatib power plant, which Israeli officials claim are used by the Houthis for transferring Iranian weapons to conduct attacks against Israel and its allies. This military action was triggered by a suspected Houthi assault on the Liberian-flagged bulk carrier Magic Seas, which was attacked with explosives, small arms, and rocket-propelled grenades, forcing the crew to abandon the vessel as it took on water and caught fire.

The Houthis, an Iran-backed rebel group, swiftly responded to the Israeli airstrikes by launching missile fire directed at Israel. Israeli military sources reported that they attempted to intercept the incoming missile, but it appeared to have struck its target, with no immediate reports of casualties. Houthi military spokespersons claimed their air defense forces confronted the Israeli attacks, though they did not provide evidence to support this assertion. The exchange marks a significant escalation, as the Houthis had previously paused their attacks during a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas earlier in the year.

The recent flare-up comes amid a broader context of maritime insecurity in the Red Sea, where the Houthis have targeted over 100 merchant vessels since late 2023, using missiles, drones, and drone boats. Their campaign against shipping has disrupted international trade and drawn in Western military responses, particularly from the United States and Britain, who have sought to secure the vital waterway. The attack on the Magic Seas was the first major Houthi assault on Red Sea shipping since December, raising concerns about renewed threats to global maritime routes.

Regional dynamics remain volatile, as the incident coincides with sensitive diplomatic efforts, including ongoing Israel-Hamas ceasefire talks and renewed tensions involving Iran’s nuclear program. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that further Houthi aggression would be met with harsher retaliation, declaring that the group would “continue to pay a heavy price for their actions”. The situation is further complicated by the presence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington for talks with U.S. President Donald Trump, underscoring the international stakes of the Red Sea conflict.