Yemen rebel group escalates regional conflict with unverified attacks amid Gaza war
Yemen’s Houthi movement said Monday it launched a missile strike on a “sensitive military target” in Tel Aviv and fired cruise missiles and drones at two U.S. warships operating in the Red Sea, marking a significant escalation in the group’s declared campaign of solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing Gaza conflict.
In a televised statement, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea claimed the operations were retaliation against U.S. airstrikes in Yemen and aimed at pressuring Israel to end its military offensive in Gaza.
No Independent Verification
The group did not provide visual or satellite evidence for the strikes. As of Monday evening, Israeli defense officials and the U.S. military had not confirmed any attacks. Israeli media and regional monitoring agencies also reported no unusual missile activity over Tel Aviv.
Still, the announcement reflects the Houthis’ growing willingness to assert regional influence by extending their military reach beyond Yemen’s borders — even without direct corroboration of impact.
Red Sea Tensions and Global Trade Risks
The Houthis, who control northern Yemen including the capital Sana’a, have ramped up drone and missile activity since mid-March, particularly targeting what they describe as Israeli or U.S.-linked vessels transiting the Red Sea.
Maritime analysts warn that such actions heighten risks for global shipping through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait — a strategic chokepoint for oil, gas, and commercial goods. Security firms and shipping operators are increasingly rerouting vessels or adopting additional protective measures.
International Concern Over Regional Spillover
Sarea vowed that the Houthis would continue military operations until Israeli “aggression” against Gaza ends and humanitarian aid flows freely into the besieged Palestinian enclave.
The latest claims arrive amid broader fears that the Gaza conflict could ignite wider regional unrest. In recent days, U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met in Washington, as leaders from Egypt, Jordan, and France simultaneously called for a ceasefire and resumption of diplomacy in Gaza.
