In a marked shift in military tactics, the Israeli Air Force launched a new wave of airstrikes on Yemen’s western coast, targeting the strategic port of Hodeidah without issuing prior evacuation warnings in Arabic—a practice previously considered standard.

This twelfth Israeli strike on Yemen since October 2023 focused on fuel containers, engineering vehicles, and naval assets allegedly used by the Iran-backed Houthi movement for attacks on Israel and commercial shipping.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the operation aimed to prevent the reconstruction of military infrastructure previously destroyed, warning that “Yemen’s fate will be the same as Tehran’s” if attacks continue.

The absence of evacuation alerts has raised concerns among humanitarian groups and Yemeni officials, who say the tactic increases the risk to civilians and reflects a psychological shift in Israel’s approach to the conflict.

Local reports confirmed that 30 Israeli warplanes participated in the strikes, damaging port docks, fishing vessels, and equipment brought in for post-strike repairs.

Despite the escalation, Yemeni air defenses reportedly intercepted several Israeli aircraft, forcing them to retreat before completing their missions.

The Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, have vowed continued support for Gaza and condemned what they call Arab and Islamic silence in the face of Israel’s war on Palestinians.

Since November 2023, the Houthis have launched missiles, drones, and unmanned boats targeting Israeli-linked vessels in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Arabian Sea, citing solidarity with Gaza.

The latest Israeli strikes follow the Houthis’ attack on Ben Gurion Airport with a hypersonic missile and the sinking of the Magic Seas cargo ship, which had previously docked in Israel.

Regional analysts warn that continued escalation could destabilize maritime trade, threaten energy infrastructure, and draw in additional foreign powers, including the United States and Gulf states.

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