Israeli navy strikes Houthi-controlled port city of Hudaydah
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Diverging Reports Breakdown
Israel launches first naval strike on Yemen’s Hodeidah port
The Israeli navy conducted its first direct naval attack on the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah. The attack, which the Houthis acknowledged via their Al-Masirah satellite news channel, reportedly struck two piers. The action represents a significant escalation, marking the first time Israeli naval forces have directly engaged Houthi-controlled targets in Yemen.
The attack, which the Houthis acknowledged via their Al-Masirah satellite news channel, reportedly struck two piers. While the Houthis confirmed the targeting of the docks, neither they nor the Israeli military reported any casualties. The action represents a significant escalation, marking the first time Israeli naval forces have directly engaged Houthi-controlled targets in Yemen during the ongoing conflict.
Prior to the strikes, the Israeli military had issued online warnings late on Monday for Yemenis to evacuate the ports of Hodeidah, Ras Isa, and al-Salif. The attack followed what was reported as a failed missile launch from Yemen towards Israel a day earlier.
Houthi forces have repeatedly launched drones and missiles at Israel in gestures of solidarity with Hamas during the war in the Gaza Strip. Following the naval strike, Israel’s defense minister issued a warning, stating that naval and aerial actions would continue if threats from the rebels persist and threatening a potential aerial and naval blockade. The Israeli military reiterated its claim that the seaports are used by the Houthis for military purposes.
Israel strikes Hodeidah port, threatens naval, air blockade
Israeli navy strikes Houthi targets in Red Sea port of Hodeidah. No immediate reports of casualties. Iran-backed Houthis have fired at Israel and at shipping in the Red Sea in solidarity with Palestinians. Israel has carried out a series of retaliatory strikes against the Houthis. The U.S. also launched strikes against Houthis this year, before President Donald Trump halted the campaign after the group agreed to stop attacks on American ships. The group has grown into an army of tens of thousands of fighters and acquired a huge arsenal of armed drones and ballistic missiles. The Houthis are a resilient force that survived years of Saudi-led war in Yemen’s capital Sana’a. They are believed to be backed by Iran, though Tehran denies this.
Summary
Companies Israel says port is used by Houthis to transfer weapons
No reported damage to merchant vessels in port, Ambrey says
Houthi missiles, drones mostly intercepted or fall short
Houthis disrupt Red Sea trade in solidarity with Palestinians
DUBAI, June 10 (Reuters) – Israel stepped up pressure on Yemen’s Houthis on Tuesday, deploying its navy to hit targets in the Red Sea port of Hodeidah and threatening the Iran-aligned movement with a naval and air blockade if attacks on Israel persist.
Houthi-run Al Masirah TV said Israel carried out two strikes on the docks of Al Hodeidah port. The Israeli army said in a statement that the navy struck Houthi targets, adding the port is used by the group to transfer weapons.
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There were no immediate reports of casualties. Israel has been hitting Houthi targets with air strikes in a military campaign launched after the country severely weakened Iran’s other Middle East partners.
The Israeli military on Monday urged the evacuation of the Houthi-controlled ports of Ras Isa, Hodeidah and Salif.
“We warned the Houthi terror organization that if they continue to fire toward Israel, they will face a powerful response and will be subjected to a naval and aerial blockade”, Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a statement on X.
An Israeli military official told Reuters the operation was a unique long-range strike conducted from hundreds of kilometers away and that the navy had been preparing for it for an extended period of time.
The navy was chosen based on operational considerations, the official added.
British maritime security firm Ambrey said there was no reported damage to merchant vessels in the port following the Israeli strikes.
Ambrey also advised vessels to minimize crew movements on deck and bridge manning to a minimum while operating in the vicinity.
Since the start of the war in Gaza in October 2023, the Iran-aligned Houthis have fired at Israel and at shipping in the Red Sea, disrupting global trade, in what it says are acts of solidarity with the Palestinians.
Most of the dozens of missiles and drones fired towards Israel have been intercepted or fallen short. Israel has carried out a series of retaliatory strikes.
The U.S. also launched intensified strikes against the Houthis this year, before President Donald Trump halted the campaign after the Houthis agreed to stop attacks on American ships.
The Houthis are a resilient force that survived years of Saudi-led bombing in Yemen’s civil war.
Israel has severely hurt other allies of Iran in the region – Lebanon’s Hezbollah and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
The Tehran-backed Houthis and pro-Iranian armed groups in Iraq are still standing.
The group’s leader, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, created the defiant force challenging world powers from a group of ragtag mountain fighters in sandals.
Under the direction of al-Houthi, the group has grown into an army of tens of thousands of fighters and acquired a huge arsenal of armed drones and ballistic missiles. Saudi Arabia and the West say the arms come from Iran, though Tehran denies this.
Reporting by Jana Choukeir; additional reporting by Crispian Balmer in Jerusalem, Editing by Jacqueline Wong, Saad Sayeed, Lincoln Feast, Michael Perry, Michael Georgy, William Maclean
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UK sanctions far-right Israeli ministers for ‘inciting violence’ against Palestinians
UK sanctions far-right Israeli ministers for ‘inciting violence’ against Palestinians. Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich will both be banned from entering the UK. Both ministers oppose allowing aid into Gaza and have called for Palestinians there to be resettled outside the territory. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the cabinet would meet next week to respond to what he called an “unacceptable decision” Israel has built about 160 settlements housing some 700,000 Jews since it occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem in the 1967 Middle East war. The vast majority of the international community considers the settlements illegal under international law – a position supported by an advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) last year. The UK’s decision reflects growing popular and parliamentary pressure to take further action against the Israeli government for its operations both in Gaza and theWest Bank. It also comes after a steady escalation of pressure by the UK and other allies. Last month the leaders of Britain, France and Canada issued a joint statement saying that Israel was at risk of breaking international law.
33 minutes ago Share Save James Landale • @BBCJLandale Diplomatic correspondent Thomas Mackintosh BBC News Share Save
AFP via Getty Images Itamar Ben-Gvir (left) and Bezalel Smotrich are key members of PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition
The UK has sanctioned two far-right Israeli ministers over “repeated incitements of violence against Palestinian communities” in the occupied West Bank. Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich will both be banned from entering the UK and will have any assets in the UK frozen as part of the measures announced by the foreign secretary. David Lammy said Finance Minister Smotrich and National Security Minister Ben-Gvir had “incited extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights”. In response, Israel said: “It is outrageous that elected representatives and members of the government are subjected to these kind of measures.”
Both Smotrich and Ben-Gvir have also been criticised for their stance on the war in Gaza. Both ministers oppose allowing aid into Gaza and have called for Palestinians there to be resettled outside the territory. The Foreign Office said: “As Palestinian communities in the West Bank continue to suffer from severe acts of violence by extremist Israeli settlers which also undermine a future Palestinian state, the UK has joined Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway in stepping up the international response.” After announcing the sanctions, Lammy said: “These actions are not acceptable. This is why we have taken action now – to hold those responsible to account. “We will strive to achieve an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the immediate release of the remaining hostages by Hamas which can have no future role in the governance of Gaza, a surge in aid and a path to a two-state solution.” Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the cabinet would meet next week to respond to what he called an “unacceptable decision”.
The Foreign Office added that “alongside partners Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway, the UK is clear that the rising violence and intimidation by Israeli settlers against Palestinian communities in the West Bank must stop”. In a statement it said the measures taken against Smotrich and Ben-Gvir “cannot be seen in isolation from events in Gaza where Israel must uphold International Humanitarian Law”. The ministers lead ultra-nationalist parties in the governing coalition, which holds an eight-seat majority in parliament. The support of Ben-Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party, which holds six seats, and Smotrich’s Religious Zionism party, which holds seven seats, is crucial to the government’s survival. Speaking at the inauguration of a new settlement in the West Bank, Smotrich said he felt “contempt” towards the UK’s move. “Britain has already tried once to prevent us from settling the cradle of our homeland, and we cannot do it again,” he said. “We are determined, God willing, to continue building.” The minister was alluding to the period when Britain governed Palestine and imposed restrictions on Jewish immigration, most significantly from the late 1930s to late 1940s. Israel has built about 160 settlements housing some 700,000 Jews since it occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem in the 1967 Middle East war. The vast majority of the international community considers the settlements illegal under international law – a position supported by an advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) last year – although Israel disputes this.
The possibility of sanctioning these two ministers has long been in the pipeline. In October, Lord Cameron said he had planned to sanction the pair, when he was foreign secretary from 2023-24, as a way of putting pressure on Israel. The UK’s decision reflects growing popular and parliamentary pressure to take further action against the Israeli government for its operations both in Gaza and the West Bank. It also comes after a steady escalation of pressure by the UK and other allies. Last month the leaders of Britain, France and Canada issued a joint statement saying that Israel was at risk of breaking international law. The UK also broke off trade talks with Israel. In the Commons last month, Lammy described remarks by Smotrich about “cleansing” Gaza of Palestinians as “monstrous” and “dangerous” extremism.
Timeline of UK-Israel tensions
19 May: UK, France and Canada denounce expanded Israeli offensive on Gaza and continuing blockade, warn of “concrete” response; Israeli PM calls move “huge prize” for Hamas
UK, France and Canada denounce expanded Israeli offensive on Gaza and continuing blockade, warn of “concrete” response; Israeli PM calls move “huge prize” for Hamas 20 May: UK suspends free trade talks with Israel, sanctions settlers, and summons Israel’s ambassador; Israel foreign ministry calls move “regrettable”
UK suspends free trade talks with Israel, sanctions settlers, and summons Israel’s ambassador; Israel foreign ministry calls move “regrettable” 22 May: Israeli PM links criticism of Israel by leaders of UK, France and Canada to deadly shooting of two Israeli embassy staff in Washington DC on 21 May
Israeli PM links criticism of Israel by leaders of UK, France and Canada to deadly shooting of two Israeli embassy staff in Washington DC on 21 May 10 June: UK sanctions Israeli ministers Smotrich and Ben-Gvir for advocating forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza; Israel’s foreign minister calls move “outrageous”
Israeli strikes hit Yemen’s Red Sea ports of Hodeidah: Houthi TV
Houthi-run al-Masirah TV and residents say no casualties have been reported. The Israeli military says it was responding to surface-to-surface missiles fired by Houthi forces. The strikes are the latest in a series of attacks on Houthi-controlled targets since November.
Israel attacked Yemen’s Red Sea ports in Hodeidah province on Tuesday morning, targeting facilities and docks, the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV and residents said.
No casualties were reported yet as the Houthi rebel group, which controls much of northern Yemen, rarely discloses its losses.
The strikes came hours after the Israeli army issued advanced warnings, urging residents in three ports of Hodeidah province — which includes the Hodeidah port city, the Ras Isa fuel port, and the As-Salif port — to leave before the Israeli military conducts strikes, according to Israeli official media.
The attack was aimed at stopping “the use of the port for military purposes,” the Israeli military said, adding the strike was a response to surface-to-surface missiles that Houthi forces have fired towards Israel.
The Israeli army said in its statement that navy missile ships carried out the strike, the first time its warships have been involved in attacks against the Houthi forces.
This was the latest in a series of Israeli military strikes targeting Houthi-controlled targets since the Houthis started launching missiles and drones against Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport and Israeli ports and ships in November 2023, to show its solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. The group has said it would stop the attacks if Israel ends its military campaign and blockade of Gaza, news agency reported.
Israeli Strikes Hit Yemen’s Red Sea Ports Of Hodeidah: Houthi TV
Israel attacked Yemen’s Red Sea ports in Hodeidah province on Tuesday morning, targeting facilities and docks, Houthi-run al-Masirah TV and residents said. No casualties were reported yet as the Houthi rebel group, which controls much of northern Yemen, rarely discloses its losses. The Israeli army said in its statement that navy missile ships carried out the strike, the first time its warships have been involved in attacks against Houthi forces. The attack was aimed at stopping “the use of the port for military purposes,” the Israeli military said, adding the strike was a response to surface-to-surface missiles.
No casualties were reported yet as the Houthi rebel group, which controls much of northern Yemen, rarely discloses its losses.
The strikes came hours after the Israeli army issued advanced warnings, urging residents in three ports of Hodeidah province — which includes the Hodeidah port city, the Ras Isa fuel port, and the As-Salif port — to leave before the Israeli military conducts strikes, according to Israeli official media.
The attack was aimed at stopping “the use of the port for military purposes,” the Israeli military said, adding the strike was a response to surface-to-surface missiles that Houthi forces have fired towards Israel.
The Israeli army said in its statement that navy missile ships carried out the strike, the first time its warships have been involved in attacks against the Houthi forces.
This was the latest in a series of Israeli military strikes targeting Houthi-controlled targets since the Houthis started launching missiles and drones against Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport and Israeli ports and ships in November 2023, to show its solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. The group has said it would stop the attacks if Israel ends its military campaign and blockade of Gaza, Xinhua news agency reported.
The Israeli strikes last month destroyed much of Hodeidah’s ports and killed dozens of the ports’ workers, according to the Houthi television.
Earlier on June 5, Yemen’s Houthi group claimed responsibility for a “hypersonic ballistic missile” toward Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, which the Israeli military said was intercepted.
“The operation came in response to the (Israeli) crime of starvation and thirst in Gaza and the enemy’s aggression against the southern suburbs of Beirut,” Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea had said in a statement aired by al-Masirah TV.
“We will stand with Gaza until the aggression and blockade against Gaza stop,” he added.
The Israeli military said that its aerial defence systems intercepted a missile fired from Yemen.
Hodeidah has been the main entry point for food and other humanitarian aid for millions of Yemenis since the war began when the Houthis seized Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, in 2014.
The Houthis have been launching persistent missile and drone attacks against commercial and military ships in the region in what the group’s leadership has described as an effort to end Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
Between November 2023 and January 2025, the Houthis targeted more than 100 merchant vessels with missiles and drones, sinking two of them and killing four sailors. The threat has greatly reduced the flow of trade through the Red Sea corridor, through which $1 trillion of goods typically move annually.
(IANS)