Israel bombs Yemen’s Sanaa airport and issues urgent evacuation warnings for three key ports as President Trump’s ceasefire deal with Houthis excludes Israeli security concerns, leaving Netanyahu’s government to “defend itself by itself.”
Key Takeaways
- Israel has issued evacuation warnings for residents near Yemeni ports of Ras Isa, Hodeidah, and Salif following a Houthi missile attack on Tel Aviv.
- Israeli airstrikes have already disabled Sanaa’s international airport, destroying runways and commercial aircraft.
- President Trump announced America would stop striking the Houthis after claiming they had “capitulated,” but the deal excludes Israel.
- The Houthis have vowed to continue attacks on Israel despite the US ceasefire agreement.
- Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasized Israel’s determination to defend itself independently against all threats.
Israel Takes Independent Action After Being Excluded From US-Houthi Deal
Israel has bombed Yemen’s main airport and issued evacuation warnings for residents near three major Yemeni ports as tensions escalate in the region. The warnings for Ras Isa, Hodeidah, and Salif ports come just days after Israeli forces conducted devastating strikes on Sanaa’s international airport, disabling runways and destroying commercial aircraft. These military actions follow a Houthi ballistic missile strike that targeted the vicinity of Tel Aviv’s Ben-Gurion International Airport. The warnings, posted by IDF Arabic media spokesperson Avichay Adraee on social media, mark the second evacuation notice Israel has issued for Yemen within a week.
The Israeli military response comes in the wake of President Trump’s announcement of a ceasefire agreement between the United States and the Houthis. Trump declared that America would cease strikes against the Yemeni rebels, claiming they had “capitulated” and agreed to stop targeting shipping in the Red Sea. However, this deal pointedly excluded Israel, leaving Netanyahu’s government to confront the Houthi threat alone. The arrangement, mediated by Oman’s foreign minister Badr al-Busaidi, has been criticized for failing to address Israeli security concerns while the Houthis continue to declare their intention to attack Israel.
Houthis Vow to Continue Attacks Despite US Deal
Despite the US-Houthi ceasefire agreement, the Iran-backed rebels have explicitly stated they will continue targeting Israel in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. This position was made abundantly clear when the Houthis launched a missile toward Israel shortly after the ceasefire announcement. The Israeli military intercepted the missile, but the attack demonstrated the Houthis’ unwavering commitment to maintaining pressure on Israel regardless of their arrangement with the United States. The ongoing threat has forced Israel to act independently, with Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasizing the nation’s resolve.
“Israel must be able to defend itself by itself against any threat and any enemy. This has been true in the face of many past challenges, and it will remain true in the future,” said Defense Minister Israel Katz.
The Houthis have made it clear that they view their campaign against Israel as separate from their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. Mahdi al-Mashat, head of the Houthi’s supreme political council, even issued a veiled warning about President Trump’s planned visit to the region. “We indirectly informed the Americans that the continued escalation will affect the criminal Trump’s visit to the region, and we have not informed them of anything else,” said al-Mashat
Escalating Conflict Takes Civilian Toll
The recent Israeli strikes have already taken a significant human toll. Houthi officials reported at least seven people killed and 74 wounded over two days of Israeli attacks. The military operation demonstrated Israel’s long-range strike capabilities, involving 50 bombs and requiring mid-air refueling — a clear signal of Israel’s ability to reach Iran if needed. UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg described the strikes as a “grave escalation” and urged restraint, but Israel appears determined to neutralize the Houthi threat regardless of international pressure.
As Israel continues its independent military campaign against the Houthis, shipping companies are cautiously returning to the Red Sea routes, though traffic remains well below normal levels. The situation highlights the complex regional dynamics that President Trump must navigate, having secured a partial ceasefire that leaves America’s closest ally in the region to fend for itself against continuing threats. With evacuation warnings now in effect for multiple Yemeni ports, further Israeli strikes appear imminent as Netanyahu’s government demonstrates its resolve to protect Israeli citizens with or without American support.
