On Thursday, Houthi rebels from Yemen initiated attacks on both Israel and a ship in the Gulf of Aden. The ship was set ablaze, showcasing once again their capability to carry out assaults despite being under the threat of U.S.-led airstrikes targeting their forces.

Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the supreme leader of the rebels, announced an “escalation in sea operations" conducted by his forces. This is part of their described pressure campaign aimed at bringing an end to Israel's conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip. But the Houthis' targets have grown more random since their attacks began in November, endangering a vital waterway for cargo and energy shipments traveling from Asia and the Middle East onward to Europe.

During the Thursday attack in the Gulf of Aden, two missiles were launched at a Palau-flagged cargo ship named Islander, according to the U.S. military's Central Command. A European naval force in the region reported that the attack caused a fire and injured one sailor on board the vessel. Despite the incident, the ship is reported to be continuing on its way.

The Islander, which had originated from Thailand and was en route to Egypt, had previously transmitted messages indicating "SYRIAN CREW ON BOARD" as a precautionary measure, possibly to avoid being targeted by the Houthis. This tactic is employed by some vessels, where they explicitly identify their crews as Muslims or state their lack of affiliation with Israel to deter potential attacks by the rebels.

Meanwhile, sirens sounded early Thursday morning over the southern Israeli port of Eilat, followed by videos posted online of what appeared to be an interception in the sky overhead.

The Israeli military later said the interception was carried out by its Arrow missile defense system.

Israel did not specify the origin or nature of the fire in this incident. Notably, Israel possesses the Arrow system, designed to intercept long-range ballistic missiles. The system is equipped with a warhead designed to destroy targets while they are in space, enhancing its capability to counter such threats.

The system “successfully intercepted a launch which was identified in the area of the Red Sea and was en route to Israel," the Israeli military said. “The target did not cross into Israeli territory and did not pose a threat to civilians."

Eilat, situated on the Red Sea, holds strategic importance as a key port city for Israel. On October 31, the Houthis initially asserted responsibility for a barrage involving both missiles and drones targeting the city. The rebels have claimed other attacks targeting Eilat, which have caused no damage in the city.

Houthi Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree claimed the attacks in a statement late Thursday night.

The Houthis, “persist in upholding their religious, moral and humanitarian duties towards the Palestinian people and in defense of their beloved Yemen in the face of American-British aggression," Saree said in a prerecorded statement. “Military operations will not stop unless the aggression stops and the siege on the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip is lifted."

Saree also asserted responsibility for a drone attack on a U.S. warship in the region. However, the U.S. Central Command reported that it, along with an allied warship, successfully intercepted and shot down six Houthi drones in the Red Sea. Additionally, France's military claimed to have downed two of the Houthi drones in the same incident.

Since November, the rebels have repeatedly targeted ships in the Red Sea and surrounding waters over the Israel-Hamas war. Those vessels have included at least one with cargo for Iran, the Houthis’ main benefactor, and an aid ship later bound for Houthi-controlled territory.

Despite a month of U.S.-led airstrikes, Houthi rebels remain capable of launching significant attacks. This week, they severely damaged a ship in a crucial strait and downed an American drone worth tens of millions of dollars. The Houthis insist their attacks will continue until Israel stops its combat operations in the Gaza Strip, which have enraged the wider Arab world and seen the Houthis gain international recognition.

Al-Houthi, the rebels' leader, gave a televised speech in which he described an escalation in their attacks.

"Missiles, drones and military boats have been activated, and submarine weapons have been introduced into our operations at sea, which is worrying to the enemy," he said. Central Command in recent days acknowledged destroying an underwater bomb-carrying Houthi drone.

Al-Houthi also denied his forces were allowing some vessels to pass through the waterways of Yemen unharmed after paying protection money.

“The enemy failed in the face of our operations at sea," he said. “He was not able to prevent them, nor was he able to deter them, nor was he able to limit or reduce them."

The Houthis, a Zaydi Shiite group, took control of Yemen's capital in 2014 and have been engaged in conflict with a Saudi-led coalition since 2015. Historically, the Zaydi people, to whom the Houthis belong, ruled a kingdom in Yemen for around 1,000 years until 1962.

The U.S. State Department has expressed condemnation for what it describes as "reckless and indiscriminate attacks on civilian cargo ships by the Houthis." These attacks, according to the statement, have led to delays in humanitarian aid shipments, including essential supplies like food and medicine destined for Ethiopia, Sudan, and Yemen. One specific incident highlighted is the targeting of the Sea Champion, a vessel carrying corn and other aid to both Aden and Hodeida.

“Contrary to what the Houthis may attempt to claim, their attacks do nothing to help the Palestinians," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement. “Their actions are not bringing a single morsel of assistance or food to the Palestinian people."

Image source: AP