On July 14, 2024, the Houthi group in Yemen announced two significant military operations targeting Israeli assets. The first operation involved attacking an Israeli-affiliated ship, identified as MSC UNIFIC, in the Gulf of Aden using ballistic missiles and drones. The second operation targeted military installations in Eilat, southern Israel, also using drones.Yahya Saree, the Houthi military spokesperson, stated that these actions were in direct response to an Israeli airstrike on Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip on July 13, which reportedly resulted in at least 90 Palestinian deaths and 300 injuries. The Houthi group emphasized that their operations were “a victory for the Palestinian people’s rights” and a retaliation against what they termed the “massacre in Khan Yunis”.The US Central Command reported countering these Houthi operations by destroying several unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and a surface vessel in the Red Sea, citing an imminent threat to US, coalition forces, and merchant vessels in the region. The Houthis, in turn, claimed that US and British warplanes had launched airstrikes on targets in Yemen, including Hodeidah international airport.It’s important to note that while the Houthis often claim Israeli affiliation for targeted ships, this is not always accurate. The MSC UNIFIC, for instance, sails under the Liberian flag, and its ownership is unclear. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have not reported any missile launches or impacts in Eilat.These events mark a continuation of Houthi attacks on shipping lanes since November 2023, actions they claim are in solidarity with Palestinians affected by Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The Houthi group has expressed readiness to conduct joint military operations with any Arab or Islamic force supporting the Palestinian cause.
Key points
- Houthi group in Yemen claims to have attacked an Israeli ship in the Gulf of Aden and military targets in Eilat.
- The attacks were reportedly in response to an Israeli airstrike on Khan Younis, Gaza, that caused significant Palestinian casualties.
- US Central Command reports destroying Houthi drones and vessels in the Red Sea area.
- These events continue a pattern of Houthi attacks on shipping lanes since November 2023.
Contradictions👾While Houthis claim to have targeted an Israeli ship, the MSC UNIFIC sails under a Liberian flag and its ownership is unclear.
👾The Israeli Defense Forces have not reported any missile launches or impacts in Eilat, contrary to Houthi claims.
