Israeli Air Force strikes Houthi port, airport & cement factory in Yemen after missile strike on Ben Gurion Airport

The day after a Houthi missile hit Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, the Israeli Air Force carried out a large wave of airstrikes against terror targets in Yemen, focusing once again on the port of Hodeidah.

An Israeli security source told media outlets that some 48 munitions were dropped in the attacks, and that Hodeidah port, which is among the terror group’s most important sea ports, suffered a fatal blow.

Israeli media also reported that Hodeidah airport and a cement factory in Bajil, east of Hodeidah were hit.

Additional documentation from tonight’s strikes by the Israeli Air Force against Houthi-controlled Western Yemen, with a large fire seen burning at the Bajil Cement Factory in the Hodeidah Governorate. pic.twitter.com/QYbNKtio9L

— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) May 5, 2025

"The terror infrastructures that were attacked at the Hodeidah seaport serve as a central source of income for the Houthi regime," the IDF explained.

"The Hodeidah seaport is used to transfer Iranian weaponry, equipment for military needs, and other terror-related necessities. In addition, the “Bajil” concrete factory east of the city of Hodeidah was attacked. It serves as an important economic resource for the Houthi terror regime and is used for building tunnels and military infrastructures."

"The damage to this factory constitutes a blow to the regime’s economy and its military buildup."

According to the Saudi al-Arabiya network, over 30 Israeli aircraft took part in the strikes which were over 2,000 kilometers (some 1,200 miles) from the Israeli border.

The strikes followed the Houthis' first successful missile attack on Israel, which fell inside the area of Ben Gurion Airport but hit an open area, only causing light injuries and limited damage.

The terror group also launched several drones at Israel, which were intercepted without causing danger.

Senior Houthi official Muhammad al-Bukhaiti said in response to the Israeli attack that "escalation will be met with a similar escalation until the aggression on Gaza stops."

Over the past months, the Houthis markedly increased their attacks against Israel, however, the Israeli leadership decided to focus on military challenges in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria, while leaving the Houthis to the U.S. military.

Monday’s strikes could signal a change in this strategy. The news outlet Axios reported that the attacks were coordinated with the U.S., but that the American military was not involved.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had hinted that Israel was considering reversing its policy of restraint towards the Yemen-based Houthi group.

“We’ve acted against them in the past, and we’ll act again in the future," Netanyahu stated in a video message. “This isn’t a one-and-done, but there will be some big hits.”

The IDF statement added that "The Houthi terror regime has been operating over the past year and a half under Iranian guidance and funding in order to harm Israel and its allies, destabilize regional order, and disrupt global maritime freedom."

"The IDF is determined to continue acting and striking forcefully against anyone who poses a threat to the residents and citizens of the State of Israel, at any distance that may be required."

Following up on their first successful attack, the Houthis boasted on Sunday that they would “impose a comprehensive air blockade” on Israel “by repeatedly targeting airports, most notably Lod Airport, known in Israel as Ben Gurion Airport.”

According to a report by Channel 12 News, an IDF official hinted at the imminent attacks shortly before the Israeli strikes on Monday. The military secretary to the Defense Minister, Brig.-Gen. Guy Marchisano reportedly said at a conference attended by 700 people just hours before, “I apologize for not staying until the end, I promise that within two hours you will understand why.”

This created a wave of rumors among the attendees and conversations within the audience over potential targets and times of the attack.