• Israel conducts airstrikes on Houthi-controlled ports and infrastructure in Yemen.
• Houthi rebels respond by launching missiles towards Israel, escalating tensions in the region.
• The Israeli airstrikes target facilities linked to Iranian weapon transfers.
• The attacks follow a maritime incident involving the cargo ship Magic Seas, attacked by the Houthis.
• Regional powers express concern over potential military escalations in the Red Sea.

The Israeli military launched a series of airstrikes targeting key Houthi facilities in Yemen early Monday. The strikes focused on ports in Hodeidah, Ras Isa, and Salif, as well as the Ras Kanatib power plant, as part of an ongoing campaign against threats perceived from the Houthi group. These operations followed increased Houthi missile activity directed towards Israeli territories, as the Houthis had claimed to be responding to perceived aggressions against Palestine in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, according to Indiatimes and HuffPost.

Key targets included the merchant vessel Galaxy Leader, which the Houthis seized in November 2023. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported that Houthis had used this ship to monitor maritime traffic in the region, facilitating what they termed "terrorist operations." The attacks also came after a massive preemptive response to Houthi missile threats and took place alongside ongoing military operations against threats from Iran, which the Houthis are perceived to be affiliated with, according to Al Jazeera and Indiatimes.

The Houthis responded vigorously to Israeli airstrikes, launching multiple missiles aimed at Israeli targets, which they claim is part of their support for Palestine amidst ongoing Israeli attacks. Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree of the Houthis affirmed that the missile force executed a joint operation involving 11 missiles and UAVs. However, the Israeli military reported attempting to intercept these projectiles, stating that while some missiles reported impacts, there were no immediate injuries, according to Africanews and Le Monde.

These escalations followed a tense maritime incident involving the bulk carrier Magic Seas, which was attacked by Houthi forces shortly before the Israeli airstrikes. The attack included missiles and drones, leading to the crew abandoning the ship. However, their rescue was coordinated by UAE maritime operations, who reported the vessel subsequently sank. This incident has raised alarms regarding renewed threats to shipping in the Red Sea, which is critical for global trade, as stated by maritime safety authorities, based on reports from Los Angeles Times and Africanews.