Israel intercepts missile from Yemen as Houthis increase attacks on ships in Red Sea

Sirens sounded in several areas in Israel after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) identified the launch of a missile from Yemen toward Israeli territory early Thursday morning. The military announced that the Israeli Air Force (IAF) aerial defense systems were activated to intercept the threat, and several minutes later, the IDF said the missile was successfully intercepted. 

Following the interception, the Houthi rebel group claimed to have attacked Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv area with a ballistic missile. Israel’s Magen David Adom emergency response service said it had received no reports of injuries or damages from the launch. 

The missile attack comes as the Houthi rebels have also resumed attacks on ships traversing the Red Sea this week. 

On Sunday, the Houthis targeted the Greek-flagged Magic Seas vessel, attacking it with helicopters and armed militants, before sinking the vessel.  The crew members of the Magic Seas were rescued before the ship was sunk using explosives. 

The next day, the Houthis attacked the Eternity C vessel with missiles, sea drones, and rocket-propelled grenades fired by speed boats operated by Houthi militants. On Tuesday, the Iranian-backed group carried out another attack with sea drones on the vessel, causing it to sink. 

Reports indicated that at least six crew members of the Eternity C were rescued from the water by Houthi forces after the attack and taken hostage. 

“The Yemeni Navy responded to rescue a number of the ship’s crew, provide them with medical care, and transport them to a safe location,” the Houthi’s military spokesperson said in a televised address. 

Four sailors were said to have been killed in the attacks while another 15 crew members of the original crew of 25 are still unaccounted for. 

The attacks mark the first time that the Houthis have attacked vessels operating in the Red Sea following the surprise announcement of a deal between the Houthis and the U.S. which ended the American bombing campaign against Houthi targets in return for a promise by the rebel group to end attacks on shipping. However, the Houthis stipulated that the deal did not include vessels trading with Israel. 

The Houthi government had previously threatened to resume attacks, including on U.S. vessels, after the combined U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June. 

Both vessels flew Liberian flags and were operated by Greek shipping companies. Shipping records show that the two companies have operated vessels that visited Israeli ports in the past year. The Houthis claim the Eternity C was headed for the port of Eilat.

“The targeting of the aforementioned ship came after the company that owns the ship itself resumed operations with the port of Umm al-Rashrash (Eilat), in clear violation of the ban on operations with the aforementioned port," Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said. 

The Houthis said the attacks represent “a qualitative shift” in the group’s “battle in support of Gaza.” 

“This stance, which is not content with condemnation or statements, is also advancing with direct military action, in a clear effort to support the Palestinians on various fronts,” the rebels said. 

The group said it will continue to carry out operations in support of the Palestinians of Gaza until a ceasefire deal is reached.