SANAA, Yemen

Yemen’s Houthi rebel group said Wednesday that it had attacked an Israel-bound ship in the Red Sea.

Rebel spokesman Yahya Saree said in a statement that its forces had attacked the CMA CGM TAGE ship after its crew refused to heed its calls or warnings.

He, however, did not specify the weapons used in the attack.

"Any American aggression will not go unpunished or without retaliation,'' the spokesman said.

On Sunday, Houthi rebels said that 10 members had been killed in a US attack on three rebel boats in the Red Sea.

Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have significantly stepped up their involvement in the current conflict in the Gaza Strip by targeting what they say are Israel-bound vessels in the southern Red Sea. It said the attacks aim to support Palestinians under Israel's "aggression and siege" in Gaza.

The Red Sea is one of the world's most frequently used sea routes for oil and fuel shipments.

Last month, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the creation of a multinational mission -- Operation Prosperity Guardian -- to counter Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio