Yemen’s Houthis say they targeted Israeli facility with Jaffa drone; U.S. Navy also allegedly hit in Red Sea
A new layer of conflict is unfolding in the Middle East. Yemen’s Houthi rebels claim to have launched a drone strike on a military target in Tel Aviv. If confirmed, this would mark the most direct attack on Israeli soil from Yemen to date.
The group also said it targeted several military vessels in the Red Sea, including a U.S. aircraft carrier. The bold announcement was made Wednesday evening by Houthi military spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree on their Al Masirah TV network.
A bold claim—and a dangerous message
“We have carried out a military operation using a Jaffa drone against an Israeli military facility in the occupied Jaffa region,” he declared, referring to Tel Aviv using its Arabic name. The language was defiant, the message unmistakable.
The timing couldn’t be more charged. The Israeli military has not yet confirmed the attack. No immediate reports of damage or casualties have emerged from Tel Aviv.
Still, the symbolism of the statement matters. It signals a possible escalation of Houthi involvement in the broader Israel-Gaza conflict.
Even if the damage was limited—or if the strike failed—the act alone is provocative.
Red Sea heats up: U.S. warships allegedly in crosshairs
The Houthis didn’t stop at Israel. According to Saree, the group also deployed drones against naval assets in the northern Red Sea. Among them, they say, was the USS Harry Truman, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in the U.S. Navy fleet.
Again, no confirmation from the Pentagon as of Wednesday night. And that’s important—Houthi claims have sometimes been exaggerated or later disproved.
But let’s be real: this isn’t business as usual.
For months now, the Red Sea has been a tense chessboard. Commercial ships linked to Israel have been harassed, attacked, or diverted. U.S. naval forces have responded with strikes on Houthi launch sites across northern and central Yemen.
Now, it seems, we’re reaching another boiling point.
Why are the Houthis doing this now?
Since mid-March, the Houthis have dialed up their direct attacks on Israel and Israel-affiliated assets. It’s no coincidence.
-
U.S. forces have launched dozens of strikes on Houthi-controlled zones, including Sanaa.
-
The Gaza conflict continues to stir outrage across the Arab world.
-
The Houthis—backed by Iran—see themselves as defenders of Palestinian resistance.
But it’s not just about politics.
It’s also about visibility. The Houthis are trying to boost their regional clout, show solidarity with Hamas, and paint themselves as anti-Israel warriors. And in doing so, they’re baiting both Tel Aviv and Washington.
In a way, it’s propaganda with real missiles behind it.
A closer look at what’s been hit—and what’s next
Let’s break down the reported attacks so far in this latest flare-up:
| Target | Location | Reported Weapon | Confirmed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Israeli military facility | Tel Aviv (Jaffa) | Jaffa drone | Not confirmed |
| U.S. aircraft carrier | Northern Red Sea | Drone(s) | Not confirmed |
| Multiple military vessels | Red Sea | Drone(s) | Not confirmed |
While none of these strikes have been independently verified yet, the implications are still serious. Even the possibility of Tel Aviv being hit from Yemen raises major security alarms.
And if the Houthis are targeting U.S. carriers in open waters? That’s a nightmare scenario for defense planners.
Trump’s return to the war room
In the middle of all this, former—and current—President Donald Trump re-emerged on the military stage.
The report says Trump ordered “decisive military action” in recent weeks, following renewed Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping lanes and Israeli-linked vessels.
There’s no ambiguity here. Trump’s administration is framing the Houthis as a direct threat to U.S. interests—and to global maritime security.
But is it working? Or is it feeding the fire?
That’s up for debate. What’s certain is that Washington is now more deeply entangled in a conflict stretching from Gaza to Sana’a to the Red Sea.
And if the Houthis keep upping the ante, this could get even messier—fast.
