Israel Urges US To Resume Strikes Against Houthis
Israel called on the US to renew military strikes on Yemen’s Houthi forces amid rising attacks on Israeli territory and Red Sea shipping.
According to the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation, Israel justified its appeal by citing a surge in rocket fire from Yemen and repeated assaults on Red Sea shipping routes. The Houthis reportedly sank two vessels and abducted numerous crew members this week alone. One of the deadliest incidents occurred on Monday when a missile strike on the Eternity Sea ship killed sixty people.
The Israeli military confirmed it had intercepted multiple missiles launched from Yemen and neutralized several others. The increasing range and frequency of Houthi strikes have alarmed Israeli defense officials, especially following an operation that targeted Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport with a Zulfiqar ballistic missile.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the group would continue expanding its operations “in support of the Palestinian people,” and confirmed that a naval blockade was being enforced on vessels linked to Israel.
Ceasefire Questions And Diplomatic Gaps
The Israeli request follows a May ceasefire agreement between the US and the Houthi movement, reportedly mediated by Oman and concluded without Israeli input. The deal had aimed to de-escalate Red Sea tensions but has faced criticism in Israel after continued Houthi aggression.
Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz has warned that the Houthis will “pay the price like Iran,” raising the stakes of a possible regional confrontation. Israel's leadership continues to seek greater alignment with Washington on threats emerging from Yemen and is pressuring the US to reconsider the terms of its limited engagement policy.