Israel confirmed Tuesday it struck Yemen’s Hodeidah port, saying the Houthis were using the facility to receive weapons from Iran. 

🎯STRUCK: A Houthi military infrastructure site at the Hudaydah Port in Yemen.

The port is used for the transfer of weapons supplied by the Iranian regime, in order to execute attacks against Israel and its allies.

The IDF continues to strike military targets in Yemen in… pic.twitter.com/Jec372Ez0O

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) September 16, 2025

Al Masirah TV, a Houthi-run broadcaster, reported 12 airstrikes on the Red Sea port. Local reports said dozens of civilians were killed. 

Sources told Reuters that Israel’s strikes targeted three docks that had been rebuilt after earlier attacks.

According to Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree, the group’s air defenses had driven off Israeli warplanes, though he provided no evidence. “The air defenses caused significant confusion to the enemy aircraft and forced some of its combat formations to leave the airspace before carrying out its aggression, and its entry into the depth was foiled, by the grace of God,” he wrote on X.

Following the strikes, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the Houthis would “pay painful prices” if they continue attacks on Israel. 

Last week, the group struck Ramon Airport near Eilat, injuring two people. On Tuesday, Israel also reported intercepting a missile from Yemen.

In recent weeks, Israeli strikes have hit Sanaa, al-Jawf, and other Houthi-held areas, killing scores of civilians, including 31 journalists in one attack. 

Late last month, an Israeli airstrike in Sanaa killed Houthi Prime Minister Ahmed al-Rahawi and several cabinet members.