A senior Hamas official has condemned the recent joint U.S.-Israel airstrike on Yemen’s Al-Hudaydah port, framing it as evidence of the “humiliation and weakness” of Israeli forces, who have reportedly retreated to bomb shelters amid escalating regional tensions. The remarks, reported by Iran’s state-run IRNA News1, come amid a broader conflict involving Houthi retaliatory strikes and disruptions to Yemen’s critical supply lines.
Key Developments in the Israel-Yemen Conflict
Mahmoud Mardawi, a Hamas official, described the May 5–7 strikes on Al-Hudaydah as “savage aggression,” linking them to Israel’s reliance on bomb shelters during Houthi missile attacks. According to Israeli media cited by Khabarban2, over 3 million Israelis fled to shelters following Houthi strikes, exposing gaps in missile defense systems. The U.S.-Israel operation targeted Yemen’s primary import hub, disrupting 80% of the country’s supply chain3.
The Houthis, formally known as Ansarullah, labeled the Al-Hudaydah attack a “war crime” and retaliated with a missile strike on Tel Aviv’s airport, which they termed a “warning.” Casualty reports indicate 21 civilians were injured in a separate strike on a cement factory in Al-Hudaydah2.
Regional Escalation and Humanitarian Impact
The conflict has drawn in regional actors, with Hezbollah pledging support for Yemen and Iran condemning the strikes as violations of international law1. Al-Hudaydah’s strategic importance cannot be overstated—it handles 70% of Yemen’s food and aid imports, and attacks risk exacerbating famine conditions already affecting 21 million people4.
Parallels to the Gaza blockade are emerging, as Hamas rejected an Israeli-proposed aid plan, calling it “blackmail”2. The UN Security Council is reportedly preparing an emergency session to address the crisis, with Russia and China drafting a resolution condemning the strikes.
Technical and Strategic Implications
The Houthis’ use of Iranian-supplied drones (e.g., Quds-2) and missiles has challenged Israel’s Iron Dome, with interception rates dropping to 75% in 2025 compared to 90% in 20234. U.S.-Israel coordination involved 30 jets in the Al-Hudaydah operation, marking a shift toward preemptive strikes on logistical hubs.
| Event | Impact | Source |
|---|---|---|
| May 5: U.S.-Israel strike on Al-Hudaydah | 80% import disruption | Khabar Farsi3 |
| May 7: Houthi missile strike on Tel Aviv | 3 million Israelis in shelters | Khabarban2 |
Conclusion
The conflict underscores the fragility of regional deterrence systems and the humanitarian costs of targeting critical infrastructure. With the Houthis vowing further strikes and diplomatic efforts stalling, the situation risks broader escalation. Monitoring Houthi missile capabilities and Israeli defense adaptations will be critical in assessing future trajectories.
References
- “حمله مشترک رژیم صهیونیستی و آمریکا به بندر الحدیده یمن,” IRNA News, 2025.
- “Houthi missile strikes force 3 million Israelis into shelters,” Khabarban, 2025.
- “U.S.-Israel jets disrupt 80% of Yemen’s imports,” Khabar Farsi, 2025.
- “Iron Dome interception rates decline,” ISignal, 2025.
