TEL AVIV, Jul 7 (Alliance News): Israel has launched its first strikes on Houthi militants in Yemen since the Iran-Israel ceasefire, targeting key locations from Sunday night into Monday morning following renewed missile threats.
According to US media reports, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) struck strategic sites including Yemen’s Red Sea ports of Hodeidah, Ras Issa, Saleef, and the Ras Qanateb power plant.
The strikes also targeted the Galaxy Leader cargo ship, seized by the Houthis in November 2023, which the IDF claims was being used as a floating radar base to track maritime traffic for planned terrorist activity.
The Israeli military stated that the offensive was in response to at least three ballistic missiles launched by the Houthis after the ceasefire. One of these missiles was intercepted before reaching Israeli territory.
Avichai Idris, the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesperson, issued advance evacuation warnings for civilian areas near the targeted sites. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz described the offensive as part of “Operation Black Flag,” vowing further action if missile and drone attacks on Israel persist.
The Houthi military confirmed the strikes and claimed their air defenses had intercepted incoming attacks using domestically manufactured surface-to-air missiles. No casualties have been reported so far.
Houthi political bureau member Mohammed al-Farha condemned the strikes, asserting that targeting Yemen’s ports and power infrastructure had no military justification and was intended to harm civilians.
The strikes coincided with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s departure to Washington for talks with US President Donald Trump.
Israel has continued to face coordinated rocket and missile fire from Hezbollah in Lebanon and Houthi forces in Yemen since the onset of its war with Hamas, with both groups expressing support for Palestinians in Gaza.
