Israel's havoc on Houthis: 20 fighter jets from 2000 km away targeted 50 targets at Hudaydah port, avenged Ben Gurion airport attack

Sana/Tel Aviv : Israel carried out its biggest airstrike ever against Yemen's Houthi rebels, destroying Hudaydah port and other military bases. The attack was a response to the Houthis' hypersonic ballistic missile attack on Ben Gurion airport on 4 May 2025, which evaded Israel's Arrow and America's THAAD defense systems. 20 fighter jets of the Israeli Air Force covered a distance of 2,000 kilometers and bombed more than 50 Houthi targets. This action has further escalated tensions in the Middle East. Let us analyze this incident based on facts.

Israel's fierce attack on Hudaydah

After the Houthis launched a missile attack on Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport on May 4, in which the missile fell near the terminal and injured several people, Israel retaliated immediately. On Monday night, the Israeli Air Force (IDF) targeted the Hudaydah port, the Bazil concrete factory, and the Hejaz power plant near Sana'a with 20 fighter jets, refueling planes, and spy drones.

• Targets: The IDF attacked more than 50 targets, including the Hudaydah port, oil depots, missile launchers, and power plants. The Bazil concrete factory, which supplied raw materials for Houthi tunnels and military infrastructure, was completely destroyed.
• Distance and strategy: The operation, which covered a distance of 2,000 kilometers, involved F-35 and F-16 jets. The attack was carried out in coordination with the US, although it was not considered a joint operation.
• Losses: Yemen's Houthi-controlled Al-Masirah TV claimed that the attacks killed 7 people and injured more than 80, most of them with severe burns. Flames at the Hudaydah port were visible for several kilometers.

The Israeli military said, "Hudaydah port was used by the Houthis to smuggle Iranian weapons and military equipment. This attack is a major blow to the economy and military capability of the Houthi regime."

Revenge for Ben Gurion attack

The Houthis attacked Ben Gurion Airport on May 4 with a hypersonic missile called "Palestine 2", which covered a distance of 2,040 kilometers in 11.5 minutes and fell near the terminal. The attack exposed the vulnerabilities of Israel's Arrow and the US THAAD systems. Flights were suspended and millions of people hid in bunkers. Houthi spokesman Yahya Sari said, “This attack is a response to Israel’s massacre in Gaza.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called an emergency meeting after the attack and warned, “The Houthis will pay a heavy price.” He called the Yemen attack a demonstration of “Israel’s long reach.”

Houthi response and Iran’s role

The Houthi rebels condemned the attack and threatened more attacks. “There are no limits in our fight against Israel and the United States,” Sari said. The Houthis receive weapons and technical support from Iran, including hypersonic missiles. Analysts believe the attack is part of Israel’s strategy to weaken the Iran-backed “resistance axis.”

Regional and global impact

The port of Hudaydah is a vital hub for global trade in the Red Sea. Houthi attacks and retaliatory actions have already affected 15% of global shipping, pushing oil prices up 5%. The UN warned that the attacks on Hudaydah would further disrupt humanitarian aid, as the port is the gateway for 70% of Yemen's imports.

Experts' analysis

Defense expert Professor Amit Gupta said, "This attack by Israel is technically and strategically impressive, but it can trigger a regional war." Some analysts believe that it is difficult to completely eliminate the missile capability of the Houthis, as they have the support of Iran.

Conclusion

Israel's air strike on Hudaydah is a quick and powerful response to the Ben Gurion Airport attack. Israel showed its military might by striking 50 targets 2,000 kilometres away with 20 fighter jets, but it further escalated tensions in the Middle East. Will the attack deter the Houthis, or further destabilise the region? Time and diplomacy will decide.