• Follow the latest news on the war between Israel and Hamas

A U.S. warship and several commercial ships were attacked in the Red Sea on Sunday, the Pentagon confirmed, potentially marking a major escalation in a series of maritime attacks in the Middle East linked to the war between Israel and Hamas.

"We are aware of reports of attacks on the USS Carney and commercial vessels in the Red Sea and will provide information as it becomes available," the Pentagon said.

The British military previously confirmed that there had been a drone strike and that there had been explosions in the Red Sea, without giving further details.

The Pentagon has not identified where the attacks had taken place from. However, Yemen's Houthi rebels have attacked vessels in the Red Sea, as well as launching drones and missiles into Israel as it wages war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

  • War in Israel