Defence minister Israel Katz confirmed the strikes, saying they were carried out due to repeated attacks on Israel.
He said the military attacked the Galaxy Leader ship which he said was hijacked by the Houthis and was being used for “terrorist activities in the Red Sea”.
It came after the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) issued an evacuation warning for people at Hodeidah, Ras Issa, and Salif ports – as well as the Ras al Khatib power station, which it said is controlled by Houthi rebels.
The IDF said it would carry out airstrikes on those areas due to “military activities being carried out there”.
An IDF spokesperson said: “For your safety, we urge all those present in the specified areas, as well as ships anchored nearby, to evacuate immediately. Remaining in the specified areas puts you in danger.”
Earlier in the day, a ship was reportedly set on fire after being attacked in the Red Sea.
The assault, off the southwest coast of Yemen, resembled that of the Houthi militant group, said a private security company.
It was the first such incident reported in the vital shipping corridor since mid-April.
Maritime security sources said the vessel, identified as the Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned bulk carrier Magic Seas, had taken on water after being hit by sea drones.
The crew abandoned the ship.
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