This Video Does Not Depict an Israeli Ship Being Targeted by the Houthis

28th December 2023

This Video Does Not Depict an Israeli Ship Being Targeted by the Houthis

Norwegian Navy tests its new Missile (X)

The Claim

A new Israeli ship was sunk by the Houthis after ignoring warnings and turning off its identification device in the Red Sea.

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A viral video circulating on social media claims that the Houthis allegedly sank a new Israeli ship in the Red Sea. The publishers of the video allege that the ship ignored warnings and intentionally disabled its identification devices. The footage shows a ship engulfed in flames and smoke, with captions identifying it as an Israeli ship targeted by the Houthi rebels.

A new Israeli ship was sunk by the Houthis after ignoring warnings and turning off its identification device in the Red Sea.

The Yemenis are one of the most formidable ppl on this planet. If one knows their modern history, one wud know that these are not ppl one to mess with. pic.twitter.com/qjS2mc7NJQ
— JeSuisBonheur (@BonheurSuis) December 24, 2023

Misbar’s Analysis

Misbar investigated the claim and found it to be misleading. The video, which surfaced in 2013, shows the Norwegian navy firing an anti-ship missile at the decommissioned KNM Trondheim frigate.

Norwegian Navy’s Naval Strike Missile Test Hits KNM Trondheim

As reported by the Military website, a platform serving military members, veterans, and their families, the Norwegian navy conducted a test of its latest Naval Strike Missile, a formidable weapon measuring four meters long and weighing 880 pounds in 2013. During this test, the navy deliberately launched the missile at its own vessel, the KNM Trondheim. The video footage taken aboard the KNM Trondheim captures the exact moment the missile strikes the ship's side, causing a spectacular explosion and sending debris soaring into the air. This test caused extensive damage to the frigate, which was stationed off the coast of Andoy. Consequently, the damaged ship was towed back to the harbor for a thorough assessment.

Recent Houthi Attacks Target Israeli Ships

The circulating claim coincides with the ongoing attacks by the Houthi group on Israeli vessels. On December 26, the Houthi rebels in Yemen announced the launch of drone attacks on the coastal Israeli city of Eilat. Furthermore, they targeted the MSC United ship in the Red Sea with multiple missiles after the vessel ignored three warnings.

The Ongoing Israeli Aggression on Gaza

The Health Ministry in Gaza reported on Wednesday, December 27, that the death toll among Palestinians due to ongoing Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has reached 21,110.
As reported by local health authorities, 55,243 individuals have been injured during the war on Gaza. Israel has been conducting airstrikes and ground assaults on Gaza since the beginning of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on October 7.

According to Anadolu, following the army's escalation of its ground operation in the Gaza Strip on October 27, there have been reports of three Israeli soldiers killed and 16 wounded each day.