Yemen’s Houthi Rebels Fire Hypersonic Missile at Central Israel: No Casualties Reported

In a significant escalation of the ongoing conflict between Yemen’s Houthi rebels and Israel, a long-range ballistic missile fired from Yemen struck central Israel, triggering air raid sirens in Tel Aviv and nearby areas. The missile, which evaded Israeli air defenses, caused a fire, although there were no immediate reports of casualties or major damage. This marks the latest in a series of attacks by the Houthis in solidarity with Palestine amidst the Gaza conflict, adding to the growing instability in the region.

Missile Strike Details

• The missile, fired from Yemen, triggered air raid sirens across central Israel, including at Ben Gurion International Airport, causing panic as residents rushed to shelters.
• There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage, and the airport authority confirmed that normal operations resumed shortly after the incident.
• Israeli military reported that the missile landed in an open area, stating, “A surface-to-surface missile was identified crossing into central Israel from the east and fell in an open area. No injuries were reported.”
• Fragments of the missile were found at a train station in the town of Modiin.

Houthis’ Claims and Fire Incident

• Houthi media official Nasruddin Amer claimed that the missile successfully reached Israel despite attempts to intercept it. He said, “A Yemeni missile reached Israel after ’20 missiles failed to intercept’ it.”
• Houthis’ military spokesperson Yahya Saree announced that a “new hypersonic ballistic missile” was used in the attack, which successfully bypassed Israel’s air defense systems.

Israeli Military Response

• The Israeli military stated that loud booms heard in the region were from missile interceptors, and that protective measures for residents remained unchanged.
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a warning to the Houthis, saying, “The Houthis should have known by now that we charge a heavy price for any attempt to harm us.”

Hamas and Other Responses

• Hamas, the Gaza-based Palestinian group, praised the Houthi missile attack, stating, “We affirm that the Zionist enemy will not enjoy security unless it ceases its brutal aggression against our people in the Gaza Strip.”
• Hamas framed the strike as a “natural response to the Zionist entity’s aggression against our Palestinian people.”

Ongoing Houthi Campaign Against Israel

• The Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, control most parts of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa. They have increasingly targeted Israel-linked ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden as part of their declared solidarity with Palestinians.
• Since November, shipping routes in the region have been disrupted, with vessels being rerouted to avoid Houthi-controlled waters.
• The group has fired drones and missiles toward Israel’s southern port city of Eilat, adding to the growing security concerns.

Previous Attacks and Escalation

• In July, the Houthis launched a long-range drone attack on Tel Aviv, killing one person and wounding four others. In retaliation, Israel carried out air strikes on Houthi military targets near Yemen’s Hodeidah port, resulting in significant casualties.

U.S. Involvement and Regional Impact

• A U.S.-led military coalition has been targeting Houthi positions since January, but the group has continued its missile and drone strikes.
• The latest missile strike on Israel underscores the increasing reach of Houthi missile technology and their involvement in regional conflicts beyond Yemen, further complicating the already volatile situation in the Middle East.

Source: Al Jazeera