In the early morning of July 7, according to announcement from Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the targets attacked included the ports of Hodeidah, Ras Isa and Al-Salif, along with the Ras Katib power plant - locations that were allegedly "militarized" by the Houthi forces to serve missile and UAV attacks targeting Israel in recent times.
These ports are a route of transit of weapons from Iran to the Houthi forces, aimed at carrying out terrorist acts against Israel and its allies, the IDF said, adding that this was a legitimate act of self-defense against a series of attacks from Houthi-controlled territory.
One of the special targets is the Galaxy Leader ship, which has been occupied by the Houthis since November 2023. According to the IDF, the ship has been equipped with a radar system to track maritime activities in the Red Sea, serving attacks against international commercial vessels.
Israel also accused the Ras Katib power plant of being used by the Houthis as a logistics hub for military operations, and condemned turning civil infrastructure into a tool of war.
The Israeli Defense Minister stressed that the "Black Flag" operation was not only a response to the Houthis but also a "direct warning to Tehran".
Yemen will be treated like Tehran. Whoever raises their hand against Israel will be taken off, Katz said on social media X, asserting that Israel would not hesitate to expand counterattacks if threatened.
Tel Aviv has long considered the Houthis an extended arm of Iran in the Arabian Peninsula, backed by weapons, money and training. Recently, missile and UAV attacks from Yemen on Israel have increased after a temporary ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran was signed last month.
Since the end of 2023, the Houthis have continuously attacked international boats in the Red Sea, claiming to "support the Palestinians" amid the Gaza war. In May, US President Donald Trump mediated an agreement to temporarily suspend attacks in exchange for the West's suspension of Houthi airstrikes. However, the group has warned that it will restart the operation if Washington supports Israel's attacks on Iran.
The latest developments in Yemen show that the spiral of violence is at risk of breaking out again, as Israel expands its combat space to the Arabian Peninsula, turning Yemen into a "new front" in the regional confrontation with Iran.
The Houthis have yet to make an official statement, while many loud explosions were still recorded around the airstrikes. Observers are concerned that the "Black Flag" campaign could open a new escalation chapter in the borderless war in the Middle East.
