Houthi Missile Strikes Israel, Netanyahu Warns

On Sunday, the Iran-backed Houthi rebels fired a ballistic missile that struck central Israel for the first time, escalating tensions in the region. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that the Houthis would pay a “heavy price” for this unprecedented attack.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea announced that the missile, a new hypersonic ballistic weapon, traveled 2,040 kilometers in just over 11 minutes to reach its target. Initially, Israel’s military reported that the missile landed in an open area, but later clarified that it likely fragmented in mid-air, with pieces falling near a railway station. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

At around 6:35 am local time, air raid sirens blared across Tel Aviv and central Israel, sending residents scrambling for cover. Moments later, loud explosions echoed through the area. Reuters reported seeing smoke rising from an open field in central Israel.

In a stern statement during his weekly cabinet meeting, Netanyahu warned the Houthis that Israel would respond with force. “Anyone needing a reminder is welcome to visit the port of Hodeida,” he said, referring to an Israeli airstrike on Yemen’s Hodeida port in July after a Houthi drone attack on Tel Aviv.

Since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October, the Houthis have launched several missile and drone attacks against Israel, citing solidarity with the Palestinians. The first Houthi drone strike on Tel Aviv in July resulted in one fatality and several injuries. Israel retaliated by bombing Houthi military targets near Hodeida, killing six and wounding dozens.

Houthi missiles had previously failed to penetrate deep into Israeli airspace, with the closest reported strike landing near the Red Sea port of Eilat in March. However, the Houthis now warn that more attacks are imminent as the first anniversary of the October 7 Gaza conflict approaches. Houthi media official Nasruddin Amer claimed on social media that 20 Israeli interceptors had failed to stop the missile, calling it just “the beginning.”

In addition to the Houthi strike, Israel’s military reported that 40 projectiles were fired from Lebanon on Sunday, though no injuries were recorded.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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