Israel conducted airstrikes on Sunday targeting multiple Houthi-controlled ports in Yemen—specifically Hodeidah, Ras Isa, and Salif—as well as the Ras Qantib power plant. The strikes followed a suspected Houthi attack on the Liberian-flagged bulk carrier Magic Seas in the Red Sea. The ship, en route from China to Turkey, was struck by rocket-propelled grenades, small-arms fire, and bomb-carrying drone boats, forcing its crew to abandon the vessel after it began to take on water.

The Israeli military characterized the strikes as a retaliatory measure, asserting the targeted ports and infrastructure were used to convey Iranian weapons and to stage drone and missile attacks against Israel. Among the targets was the Galaxy Leader, a ship hijacked by the Houthis in November 2023 and reportedly outfitted with radar gear to monitor maritime traffic.

In response, Houthi forces said they intercepted several incoming missiles and launched at least one missile at Israel, which reportedly caused no casualties. This tit‑for‑tat escalation occurs amid broader regional tensions, including the ongoing Gaza conflict and negotiations surrounding Iran’s nuclear program . The international shipping corridor through the Red Sea remains vulnerable, heightening concerns over maritime security and humanitarian aid routes into Yemen.