In a stern warning, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to make Yemeni Houthis pay a “heavy price” for launching a ballistic missile that struck central Israel for the first time on Sunday. The attack has marked a significant escalation in tensions between Israel and the Houthi group, who have been involved in a protracted civil war in Yemen.
According to Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea, the “hypersonic ballistic missile” traveled 1,270 miles in just over 11 minutes, targeting a “military target” in the Tel Aviv area. While Newsweek was unable to immediately verify the type of missile used, the Israeli military confirmed that a missile had been launched from Yemen and had struck central Israel.
The Israeli military said it made several attempts to intercept the missile, but had not yet determined whether they were successful. It added that the missile appeared to have fragmented midair, suggesting that it may have been intercepted or have malfunctioned.
Rising Tensions
The Houthi missile strikes come amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran, as Tehran continues to expand its influence through proxy forces across the region. The group has long been involved in a protracted civil war, but has recently ramped up its rhetoric and actions against Israel, claiming solidarity with Palestinian factions.
The attack has sparked concerns that the conflict in Yemen could spill over into the wider region, drawing in other countries and exacerbating existing tensions. Israel has long been wary of Iran’s growing influence in the region and has taken steps to counter its expansion.
In response to the attack, Netanyahu vowed to make the Houthi pay a “heavy price” for their actions. “We will not tolerate this kind of aggression,” he said. “We will respond with force and determination to any attack on our territory.”
Netanyahu’s warning has been echoed by other Israeli officials, who have pledged to take action against the Houthi and their Iranian backers. “We will not allow Iran to establish a foothold in our region,” said Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz. “We will take all necessary steps to protect our citizens and our territory.”
The attack has significant implications for the region, which is already on high alert due to rising tensions between Israel and Iran. The conflict in Yemen has drawn in several countries, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which have been fighting against the Houthis.
The attack has also sparked concerns that the conflict could spill over into the Gaza Strip, where Palestinian factions have been involved in a long-running conflict with Israel. The Houthi have claimed solidarity with Palestinian factions, and the attack has been seen as a sign of their growing influence in the region.
The ballistic missile strike on Israel has marked a significant escalation in tensions between Israel and the Houthis. Netanyahu’s warning that the group will pay a “heavy price” for their actions has been echoed by other Israeli officials, who have pledged to take action against the Houthi and their Iranian backers.
The attack has significant implications for the region, which is already on high alert due to rising tensions between Israel and Iran. The conflict in Yemen has drawn in several countries, and the attack has sparked concerns that the conflict could spill over into the wider region.
As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the conflict in Yemen has taken a significant turn, and the region is bracing itself for further escalation.
