An Israeli airstrike on Yemen’s Houthi-controlled port of Hodeida caused damage estimated at more than $20 million, according to a senior port official, with total losses expected to rise significantly due to the destruction of fuel storage facilities. The strike occurred on July 20 and targeted Hodeida, the most important port under the control of the Iran-backed Houthi movement. The attack destroyed a large portion of the port’s oil storage capacity and ignited a massive fire that burned for several days, sending thick smoke into the sky and disrupting operations.
Israel carried out the strike in response to a drone attack launched by the Houthis on July 19, which hit Tel Aviv and killed one Israeli civilian. In retaliation, dozens of Israeli aircraft conducted coordinated strikes on key infrastructure at the port. Houthi officials reported that at least nine people were killed in the attack, which marked the first time Israel has openly claimed responsibility for a strike in Yemen.
Nasr al-Nusairi , vice president of the Yemen Red Sea Ports Corporation, said preliminary assessments showed that two large container cranes were destroyed, a small vessel was burned, and several buildings were damaged. He added that parts of the docks were also affected. The estimated $20 million in damage applies only to port infrastructure and does not include losses related to fuel storage, which fall under the oil ministry. Israel stated that the port and its equipment had been used to facilitate the transfer of Iranian weapons into Yemen. Despite the scale of the destruction, port operations resumed within days, with ships docking again shortly after the attack and cargo handling gradually returning to normal.
