In a series of escalating attacks aimed at pressuring Israel to end its war in Gaza, Yemen's Houthi rebel group claimed responsibility for drone attacks targeting the Israeli port city of Eilat and a commercial vessel in the Red Sea. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea confirmed the group's involvement in the drone attacks on Tuesday, which targeted Eilat and "other areas in occupied Palestine." The group also launched missiles at the MSC United vessel in the Red Sea after it ignored three warning calls.

Following the Houthi claims, MSC Mediterranean, the shipping company operating the MSC United VIII, confirmed the attack. The vessel, en route from King Abdullah port in Saudi Arabia to Karachi, Pakistan, came under attack but fortunately, the crew remained unharmed. MSC Mediterranean has initiated an assessment of the incident and reported it to the US-led naval coalition in the Red Sea.

Hours before the Houthi announcement, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported an incident involving a commercial vessel off the coast of Yemen. The UKMTO stated that two suicide drones targeted the ship, but no damage occurred, and the vessel continued on its voyage under constant communication with the US-led naval coalition.

This incident adds to a string of attacks by the Houthis in the Red Sea, where they have been targeting commercial vessels in solidarity with the Palestinians. The US has accused the Houthis, who control parts of northern Yemen, of launching over 100 drone and missile attacks on ten commercial ships, representing numerous countries. Israel has also been on the receiving end of missile and drone strikes from the Houthi rebels, prompting a devastating assault on the Gaza Strip, resulting in significant Palestinian casualties.

The Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have not only raised tensions in the region but also caused disruptions along this vital shipping route. Consequently, several companies have rerouted their vessels to avoid the targeted area, incurring additional expenses. To counter these threats, the US recently announced a security coalition tasked with safeguarding commercial shipping and conducting patrols to deter further attacks.

As the situation escalates, the United States has increased its naval presence in the region, and on Tuesday, a US destroyer was refueling in Djibouti, located in East Africa across the sea from Yemen. The fear of a wider regional escalation remains high, as the conflict between the Houthis and Israel shows no signs of abating, threatening the stability of the Red Sea and its vital trade routes.

In conclusion, the Houthi rebel group's claimed responsibility for drone attacks on the Israeli port city of Eilat and a commercial vessel in the Red Sea, as part of their efforts to pressure Israel to end its war in Gaza. These attacks have resulted in disruptions to crucial shipping routes and raised concerns about a potential regional escalation.