Houthis Claim Attack on Israeli Cargo Ship and Port of Eilat

The Houthis of Yemen claimed without providing evidence that they conducted two military operations in the Gulf of Aden and the city of Eilat, located in southern Israel. Yahya Saree, the military spokesperson for the Houthis, stated that they targeted the 'Israeli MSC Unific' ship in the Gulf of Aden with their ballistic missiles and drones. The cargo ship 'MSC Unific' sails under the Liberian flag, and shipping websites indicate that it was en route from Djibouti to Sri Lanka. Therefore, it is unclear whether there is any connection between the ship and Israel, as its ownership has not yet been disclosed. The Houthi spokesperson also claimed that the militia attacked military targets in the city of Eilat with drones. The Houthis have repeatedly made such claims of attacks on Israel without providing evidence. The Times of Israel reported that on Saturday, sirens sounded in the city of Eilat, but the Israeli army stated that this was due to drone attacks from Syria. Meanwhile, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) announced on Sunday that it had shot down two Houthi drones over the Red Sea and targeted an unmanned vessel belonging to the group in the same sea. A report from the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency indicated that the missile used in the attack on a Norwegian ship was of Iranian origin. CENTCOM added that it also shot down a Houthi drone in an area in Yemen controlled by the group. CENTCOM stated: 'It has been determined that these weapons pose an imminent threat to U.S. forces, coalition forces, and commercial shipping in the region.' Since last November, the Houthi rebels, who are supported by the Islamic Republic of Iran, have conducted missile and drone attacks in the shipping lanes of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, claiming to support the Palestinians in Gaza. During dozens of attacks carried out by the Houthis, two ships have sunk, one ship has been seized, and at least three sailors have been killed.