The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed concluding airstrikes on military infrastructure at Yemen's Houthi-controlled Hodeidah port by 1:48 PM UTC on September 16th, 2025, stating the port is used for weapon smuggling from Iran. Separately, a senior Israeli intelligence official stated that a week after Israeli missile strikes in Qatar, no top Hamas leaders were killed, suggesting the assassination attempt failed and "backfired." The confirmed strikes in Hodeidah were in response to repeated Houthi ballistic missile and drone attacks against Israel. Evacuations at the port were reported to be underway earlier on September 16th, following an IDF advisory urging immediate evacuation. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) also issued an advisory during the period of escalating tensions. An Israeli official had previously indicated the strikes aimed to disable Hodeidah port for several weeks. The IDF has a history of targeting the port in retaliation for Houthi actions. Regarding the incident in Qatar, Barak Ravid reported on X (formerly Twitter) that the assassination attempt against Hamas leaders failed and that "not only that the assassination attempt against Hamas leaders failed, but that it backfired." A senior Israeli intelligence official was cited as stating, "None of the top Hamas leaders were killed. Maybe there were some shock victims."
