Comprehensive Report: Israeli Airstrikes on Houthi Targets in Yemen

Israel claims the vessel was repurposed as a radar station for tracking maritime traffic, a justification linked to ongoing Houthi ballistic missile and drone attacks on Israel.

YEMEN — On July 6, 2025, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) conducted over 20 airstrikes on Houthi-controlled targets in Hodeidah (Al Hudaydah), Yemen, targeting key ports, a power plant, and the Galaxy Leader vessel, a commercial ship seized by the Houthis in November 2023.

Galaxy Leader vessel, a commercial ship seized by the Houthis in November 2023

According to Israel, the vessel was repurposed as a radar station for tracking maritime traffic, a justification linked to ongoing Houthi ballistic missile and drone attacks on Israel.

Local Houthi-controlled media reported a power outage in Al Hudaydah following the strikes, which affected infrastructure critical to Houthi operations. The operation followed an evacuation warning issued by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) prior to the strikes.

Key Points

• Event Date and Scope: Israel executed over 20 airstrikes on July 6, 2025, targeting Houthi sites in Hodeidah, including the ports of Hodeidah, Ras Isa, and Salif, the Ras Kanatib power plant, and the Galaxy Leader vessel.

• Galaxy Leader Context: Seized by the Houthis on November 19, 2023, the vessel was held in Hodeidah and used for military purposes, specifically as a radar station for vessel tracking, according to Israeli statements.

• Houthi Response: The Houthi-aligned Yemen Armed Forces claimed their air defenses effectively confronted the Israeli aggression, forcing a significant portion of Israeli formations to withdraw through a barrage of locally manufactured surface-to-air missiles.

• Power Outage: Local reports confirmed a power outage in Al Hudaydah following the strikes, consistent with the targeting of the Ras Kanatib power plant.

• Implications: The operation marks an escalation in the Israel-Houthi conflict, with potential impacts on Red Sea maritime security, international law, and regional tensions involving Iran.