Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a stern warning to Yemen’s Houthis after a missile launched by the group landed in central Israel. The Israeli military confirmed that the missile landed in an uninhabited area early on Sunday, but shrapnel indicated that air defense systems had failed to intercept it before it entered Israeli airspace.
This marks the first time a missile fired by the Houthis has reached central Israel, which is approximately 2,000km (1,240 miles) from Yemen. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that there were multiple attempts to shoot down the missile on Sunday, but it likely fragmented in mid-air. The Houthis claimed that the operation used a new type of hypersonic missile, potentially explaining the interception failure.
The Houthis, an armed group controlling much of Yemen in the ongoing civil war, have aligned themselves with the Iran-led “axis of resistance” against Israel, the US, and the West. They stated that the attack was in solidarity with Palestinians and warned of more to come ahead of the first anniversary of previous attacks.
Missile fragments caused damage at a railway station in Modiin and near Israel’s main international airport in Tel Aviv. Israeli interceptor missiles are believed to have caused the damage. Prime Minister Netanyahu emphasized that Israel is engaged in a “multi-front battle against Iran’s axis of evil” and warned that those who attack Israel will face severe consequences.
This incident is not the first time the Houthis have targeted Israel. In July, a Houthi drone landed in Tel Aviv, resulting in casualties. Israeli forces responded by launching airstrikes on the city of Hodeidah in Yemen, causing a significant fire at an important oil storage facility. The escalating tensions between Israel and the Houthis highlight the volatile situation in the region.
