The Israeli navy recently launched an attack on the docks in Hodeidah, a port city in Yemen controlled by rebels, targeting crucial facilities that handle aid shipments to the country.

This marks the first time Israeli forces have been involved in direct strikes against the Houthi rebels, who have been using the port to transfer weapons.

The Houthis, known for launching missiles and drones at Israel during conflicts with Hamas in Gaza, announced the attack through their satellite news channel Al-Masirah, stating that the docks were the primary target.

Israel had issued online warnings for Yemenis to evacuate from ports like Ras Isa, Hodeidah, and al-Salif prior to the attack.

In a statement, the Israeli military condemned the Houthi regime's exploitation of civilian infrastructure for terrorist activities, emphasizing the port's role in weapon transfers.

Hodeidah has been a vital entry point for humanitarian aid to Yemen since the conflict began in 2014 when the Houthis captured Sana'a, the capital.

The Houthis have been actively targeting commercial and military vessels in the region with missiles and drones, disrupting trade flow through the Red Sea corridor, which typically sees $1 trillion worth of goods passing through annually.

Following a brief ceasefire, the US launched a military campaign against the rebels, prompting responses from the Houthi leadership and US defence secretary Pete Hegseth, who noted successful naval transits through the Red Sea without Houthi interference.

With the recent naval attack by Israel, the Houthis' reaction remains uncertain, as the conflict in Yemen continues in a decade-long stalemate between the rebels and the exiled government supported by a Saudi-led coalition.