Yemen’s Houthis intensify strikes on Israeli soil, maritime targets

The Houthis launched their first lethal strike on Israeli soil as the militant group continues targeting vessels in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea. One person is dead and 10 others were wounded following the drone attack near the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv. The attack penetrated Israel’s usually robust air defenses — a significant security breach.

This incident marks one of the most serious attacks on Israel since Oct. 7 and raises concerns about the effectiveness of national security protocols. The strike by the Iranian-backed group occurred hours after Israel’s military confirmed one of its airstrikes had killed a Hezbollah commander in southern Lebanon.

Israeli military officials said human error may be to blame for why the drone was able to fly so deep into Israel. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is launching a full investigation.

The attack tops off several days of escalation in activity from the Yemen-based militant group. A Houthi spokesperson confirmed Friday, July 19, the group carried out a strike on a vessel in the Gulf of Aden.

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore also reported that at around 10:30 a.m., the container ship LOBIVIA was hit by “unidentified projectiles” while passing through the Gulf of Aden. The attack caused a fire onboard, which the crew managed to extinguish.

This comes after several other vessels were targeted days earlier, including oil tankers in the Red Sea, using a combination of ballistic missiles, drones and explosive-laden boats. The uptick is in retaliation for a recent Israeli airstrike on Khan Younis, a city in the southern Gaza Strip. That strike targeted Hamas’ military commander, Mohammed Deif.

Satellite images revealed an extensive oil spill over 125 miles long in the Red Sea near Hodeidah. While the exact source of the slick is still unknown, its timing aligns with the recent Houthi attacks.

These strikes are part of a wider pattern of Houthi activity, disrupting key global shipping routes and heightening regional tensions. As a result, major shipping companies are avoiding the Red Sea corridor, leading to a significant decline in traffic. Experts note shipping through the Red Sea has plummeted by 60% since 2023.