Israel Urges US To Resume Strikes On Houthis After Deadly Ship Attacks

Israel has asked the United States to restart military attacks on Yemen’s Houthi rebels and to form a wider international coalition, after a sharp increase in Houthi aggression at sea and continued missile attacks on Israel.

According to reports from Israel’s public broadcaster Kan, Jerusalem has told Washington that the attacks on ships in the Red Sea “can no longer remain solely an Israeli problem.” Israeli officials said a broader military response is needed, involving not only Israeli airstrikes but also renewed American action and support from other countries.

The request came after the Houthis sank two commercial vessels this week, the Magic Seas and Eternity C, killing at least four people. Per reports, 10 seafarers and a security guard are still missing, and some may be held in captivity in Yemen. The shipping company said one crew member was confirmed dead, and four others had not been seen since the attacks.

Israeli officials made the request while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was visiting Washington.

The Houthis, backed by Iran and in control of large parts of Yemen, had reached a ceasefire deal with the US in May 2024. That agreement ended a series of American airstrikes that began on March 15 and involved nearly 1,100 attacks. The strikes, supported by two aircraft carriers, cost the US about $1 billion in weapons.

President Donald Trump had said the Houthis suffered “tremendous punishment,” and after the ceasefire, the US stopped the attacks and brought the USS Harry S. Truman home.

مشاهد استهداف وإغراق سفينة (ETERNITY C) بعدد من الصواريخ الباليستية والمجنحة أثناء قيامها بانتهاك قرار حظر القوات المسلحة اليمنية واتجاهها إلى ميناء أم الرشراش في فلسطين المحتلة. pic.twitter.com/dbs404YF6u

— أمين حيان Ameen Hayyan (@AminHian) July 9, 2025

However, this week the Houthis resumed their attacks, claiming responsibility for sinking the two merchant vessels. They also launched two ballistic missiles toward Israel on Thursday. The first missile was intercepted outside Israeli airspace. The second, fired just before 10 p.m., fell short and did not trigger any alarms.

The leader of the Houthi group, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, announced that his forces will continue to target any ship linked to Israel attempting to pass through the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, or the Arabian Sea. He said the attacks would go on as long as the blockade on Gaza continues.

The Houthis claimed they did not intend to harm the crew and said they provided humanitarian aid to those on board Eternity C. Still, reports indicate that the attacks were coordinated and intense, using unmanned explosive boats, drones, ballistic missiles, rocket-propelled grenades, and even naval mines. The damage caused was enough to sink the Eternity C and severely impact the Magic Seas.

The attacks have also caused serious disruption in the shipping industry. According to Lloyd’s List and the Financial Times, the Eternity C, which was Greek-owned, did not have war risk insurance when it sailed. US-based insurer Travelers refused to provide the coverage because of the high threat level. After the attacks, war risk insurance costs rose sharply, from 0.3% to 0.7% of a vessel’s value in just one week, reaching the highest level seen in 2024.

مشاهد استهداف وإغراق سفينة(MAGIC SEAS) التابعة لشركةٍ انتهكت قرار حظر القوات المسلحة اليمنية وذلك بإدخال سفن تابعة لها إلى موانئ فلسطين المحتلة.
pic.twitter.com/jgHFlOANPv

— أمين حيان Ameen Hayyan (@AminHian) July 8, 2025

Israel has also launched its own strikes on Houthi positions, especially targeting Yemeni ports. Israeli sources said these ports were heavily damaged, but the Houthis claimed they quickly resumed operations. The Israeli airstrikes also failed to stop missile launches from Yemen.

Meanwhile, U.S. Central Command confirmed that two Nimitz-class aircraft carriers, the USS Nimitz and USS Carl Vinson, are currently deployed in the region. Despite this presence, the US has not yet made any official statement about restarting military operations against the Houthis.

In Vienna, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul condemned the Houthi attacks and said Iran should use its influence to stop them. Speaking at a joint press conference with his Israeli and Austrian counterparts, he said the international community must address not only Iran’s nuclear ambitions but also its regional activities, including support for the Houthis.

Reference: timesofisrael

Source: Maritime Shipping News