Israel has carried out air strikes on Yemen, targeting the Galaxy Leader, a British-owned cargo vessel seized by Houthi forces in November 2023. The ship, registered in the Bahamas and partially owned by Israeli businessman Rami Ungar, was commandeered in a dramatic raid involving armed militants descending from a helicopter. Since its capture, the vessel has reportedly been fitted with radar equipment and used as a surveillance platform by the Houthis in the Red Sea. According to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), approximately 50 missiles and bombs were launched during Sunday night’s operation, the first strike on Yemen in nearly a month.
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The Israeli military stated the action was in direct response to repeated Houthi missile launches targeting Israeli territory. Strikes were reported at key locations including the ports of Hodeidah, Ras Isa and Salif, as well as a power facility in Ras Qantib. Shortly after the air strikes, Israel reported that two further missiles had been launched from Yemen. Although interception attempts were made, the effectiveness of those efforts was still being evaluated. The Houthis, backed by Iran, claimed they had launched missiles and drones at various Israeli targets in retaliation.
The Houthis have continued to launch ballistic missiles towards Israel even after the recent ceasefire agreement with Iran. However, these are often launched in isolation, making them easier to intercept using Israeli air defence systems. Since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict in October 2023, Houthi forces have repeatedly attacked maritime vessels in the Red Sea and fired towards Israel, actions they describe as solidarity with the Palestinian cause. Most of these threats have been neutralised or failed to reach their targets, though they have disrupted international shipping and heightened tensions in the region.
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The IDF confirmed that the Galaxy Leader was among Monday’s targets, citing its use by the Houthi forces as a maritime tracking station. A military spokesperson stated: “The Houthi terrorist regime’s forces installed a radar system on the ship, and are using it to track vessels in international maritime space in order to promote the Houthi terrorist regime’s activities.” In response, a Houthi military representative claimed the group’s air defence units responded with “a large number of domestically produced surface-to-air missiles”. The situation marks a significant escalation in the regional conflict and underscores the ongoing volatility in the Red Sea corridor.
