Israel on Monday launched attacks at targets in Yemen hours after a Greek-owned, Liberian-flagged cargo ship — the Magic Seas — was attacked near the Yemeni port of Hodeidah late Sunday.
Israeli air forces on Monday struck targets in ports of Hodeidah, Ras Isa and Salif, as well as a power plant at Ras Qantib.
“These ports are used by the Houthi terrorist regime to transfer weapons from the Iranian regime, which are employed to carry out terrorist operations against the state of Israel and its allies,” read an Israeli military statement.
Israel also struck the Galaxy Leader, a vessel seized by the Houthis last November. The group had been using it to track international maritime traffic and plan further attacks.
Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who are thought to be behind the attack on the Magic Seas, fired two missiles at Israel in response to the strikes. Israeli military efforts to intercept the missiles appear to have failed, though no injuries have been reported.
The attack on the Magic Seas was reportedly carried out with bomb-laden drone boats, signaling a potential escalation of Iranian involvement. The Islamic Republic is a backer of the rebel Houthis, who began attacking Israel in response to its military campaign against Hamas in retribution for Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel.
Both the in an effort to ensure freedom of movement for nearly $1 trillion (€930 billion) worth of goods through the Suez Canal annually. Houthis have now attacked more than 100 merchant vessels in the area and have killed four sailors.
As Gaza ceasefire talks loom and the world waits to see , Israel issued a warning to both the Houthis and leaders in Tehran.
“What’s true for Iran is true for Yemen,” said Defense Minister Israel Katz: “Anyone who raises a hand against Israel will have it cut off. The Houthis will continue to pay a heavy price for their actions.”
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