Houthi rebels claimed to have fired missiles at a Marshall Islands-flagged U.S. cargo ship off the coast of Yemen, causing limited damage (cbsnews.com)
The U.S. says it intercepted a Houthi missile fired toward an American destroyer, the USS Laboon, in the Red Sea (nytimes.com)
Two Palestinians were arrested after separate car-ramming attacks killed 1 and wounded 17 in the Israeli city of Ra’anana (theguardian.com)
Iran’s foreign ministry released an infographic claiming “100 days of Zionist failure” in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war (jpost.com)
The U.S. and allies carried out airstrikes on Houthi sites in Yemen in response to attacks on shipping vessels (aljazeera.com)
The Israeli government sees the Houthi attacks as linked to Hamas and part of a broader effort by Iran to open up multiple fronts against Israel. Israel remains determined to achieve total victory over Hamas in Gaza and views military pressure as the best leverage to also secure the release of Israeli hostages held there.
Some Arab states are concerned about getting drawn into a regional escalation and have not participated in the US-led naval coalition, despite relying on Red Sea shipping. However, they may support an international force administering Gaza after the war to avoid a Hamas takeover.
Within Yemen, there is opposition to the Houthi attacks which could further isolate the country. But some also criticize the US airstrikes for exacerbating Yemen's humanitarian crisis. Much of the population remains focused on achieving peace and stability after years of civil war.
The Houthi rebels in Yemen fired missiles at a Marshall Islands-flagged container ship owned by a U.S. company off the coast of Yemen, according to CBS News. The U.S. Central Command said the missile strike caused limited damage to the cargo ship’s hold but no injuries. This occurred after the Houthis fired missiles toward a U.S. Navy destroyer, the USS Laboon, in the Red Sea, which was intercepted by the U.S. military per the NY Times.
The missile strikes come after the U.S. and allies carried out airstrikes on Houthi military sites in Yemen in response to attacks on commercial shipping vessels that have disrupted global trade, reports Al Jazeera. The Houthis vowed to retaliate, calling the U.S. and U.K. “legitimate targets.”
In a separate incident in Israel, two Palestinian men were arrested for separate car-ramming attacks that killed a woman and wounded 17 people in the city of Ra’anana, according to The Guardian. The police called it a terrorist attack. This comes as Israel continues military operations in Gaza that have entered a 4th month.
Iran’s foreign ministry also released an infographic claiming “100 days of Zionist failure” in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, notes the Jerusalem Post. An Iranian diplomat said Israel is in danger of collapse and that the future belongs to Palestine.
The escalating situation has raised concerns that the war in Gaza could further spread in the region, reports the NY Times. The U.S. stresses that while it wants to avoid direct confrontation with Iran, it will defend its assets if necessary. The U.S. and allies say the strikes on Houthis are defensive actions to deter aggression on shipping.
According to Al Jazeera, the Houthis see their attacks in the Red Sea as justified retaliation to pressure Israel and its allies to end the blockade and military actions in Gaza. The Houthis view themselves as part of an “axis of resistance” against Israel and western powers, allied with Hamas and Hezbollah. But Yemenis are divided on the wisdom of the attacks which could isolate Yemen further.
The Jerusalem Post notes the Israeli government sees the Houthi attacks as linked to Hamas and part of a broader Iranian effort against Israel. Israel remains determined for total victory in Gaza and views military pressure as the best way to also free Israeli hostages.
The Guardian reports that some Arab states have not joined the U.S. naval coalition, despite relying on Red Sea shipping, as they want to avoid getting drawn into a regional escalation. However, they may support an international force administering Gaza after the war to prevent Hamas control.