Houthis fire missile from Yemen into central Israel, warn of more strikes

Yemen’s Houthi militia claimed responsibility for a surface-to-surface missile strike targeting central Israel on Sunday morning, intensifying the conflict between the Iran-backed group and Israel.

Although the missile itself caused no direct injuries, Israel’s Magen David Adom emergency services treated nine individuals injured while rushing to shelters as warning sirens blared. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree labeled the missile as a “hypersonic ballistic missile,” aimed at military targets. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the missile likely “fragmented mid-air,” and are currently investigating whether the interceptor missiles they deployed were successful.

During a cabinet meeting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu characterized the situation as part of a broader “multi-front campaign” against Iran’s allies, who he said seek to destroy Israel. He emphasized that the Houthis would “pay a heavy price for any attempts to harm us.”

Most of the missiles and drones launched by the Houthis—who have been targeting ships near Yemen’s coast since October to show solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza—have been intercepted over the Red Sea. However, a Houthi drone strike on Tel Aviv in July led to one fatality and 10 injuries, highlighting their ability to strike deep into Israeli territory.

Israel responded to the July attack with airstrikes on Hodeida, a Houthi-controlled port city in Yemen, igniting fires in the city’s import hub. Netanyahu referenced Hodeida in his speech, noting the significant damage Israel’s military can inflict when provoked.

Despite U.S. and British airstrikes targeting the Houthis in Yemen since January, the group remains undeterred. On Telegram, they warned Israel of more attacks, particularly as the anniversary of Hamas’s Oct. 7 assault on Israel nears.

In Sunday’s incident, the IDF reported that debris from their air-defense missiles landed at a railway station and in open fields, with a fire breaking out near Kfar Daniel, roughly 10 miles from Ben Gurion Airport.

Additionally, about 40 rockets were fired from Lebanon into northern Israel early Sunday, but most were intercepted or landed in uninhabited areas. Hezbollah militants and the IDF have been engaged in near-daily exchanges for 11 months, displacing tens of thousands on both sides of the border.

During his Sunday visit to Israel’s northern region, Netanyahu acknowledged the “distress” and “suffering” of local residents, vowing that the current situation “will not persist” and promising to restore security.