Houthi rebels in Yemen have launched attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea, raising fears of renewed conflict in the vital shipping corridor.

Israel has carried out its first strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen since the Israel-Iran ceasefire, attacking ports and a power plant around midnight local time Sunday night into Monday morning.

The Israeli military says the strikes were a response to attacks by the Houthis, who later launched two missiles towards Israel and the occupied West Bank.