Israel finds itself in the crosshairs of the Iran-backed Houthi rebels, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowing to make them pay a “heavy price” for their latest missile strike. The Houthis, a group that controls northern Yemen, decided to flex their military muscles by launching a missile that reached central Israel. This isn’t just any missile, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea bragged about a new hypersonic ballistic missile that traveled over 2,000 kilometers in less than 12 minutes. Impressive?
At 6:35 a.m. local time, air raid sirens blared across Tel Aviv and central Israel, sending panicked residents scrambling for shelter. The missile fragments landed in fields and even near a railway station, but fortunately, no direct casualties were reported, just a few people injured while rushing to safety.
What They Are saying
Netanyahu, never one to shy away from a bit of rattling, made it clear that the Houthis would regret their audacity. In a weekly cabinet meeting, he pointed out that the rebels should have learned their lesson from the last time they poked the Israeli bear. His reminder referenced an Israeli airstrike on Yemen’s Hodeida port back in July, following a Houthi drone attack that hit Tel Aviv. You’d think the Houthis would know better by now.
But no, the Houthis have been relentless, claiming they’re attacking Israel in solidarity with the Palestinians since the Gaza war reignited after Hamas’s October surprise. The July drone attack that Netanyahu referenced resulted in one death and four injuries, prompting Israel to retaliate with an airstrike that left six Houthi militants dead and 80 wounded. Yet, the Houthis don’t seem to be deterred. Their spokesperson made it clear that more strikes are on the horizon as they prepare for the anniversary of the infamous October 7 operation. They’re even doubling down on the idea that Israel will continue to face the consequences for its “aggression” in Yemen.
Why It Matters
Sarea, ever the voice of defiance, warned that the missile strike was just the beginning. His colleague, Nasruddin Amer, couldn’t help but boast on social media about how 20 Israeli missiles failed to intercept their latest attack. This isn’t just a few drones buzzing around anymore; this is serious firepower capable of reaching deep into Israeli territory.
Despite the boldness of the Houthi threats, it’s hard to ignore the fact that the strike didn’t cause the intended devastation. Sure, the missile reached Israeli airspace, but it was taken down before it could inflict any real damage. For now, Netanyahu’s promise of a heavy-handed response looms large, as the Middle East watches to see if the Houthis will finally overplay their hand.
Bottom Line
Israel’s next move? It’s not a matter of if but when retaliation will come, and the Houthis might want to think twice before provoking a nation that’s more than ready to defend its skies.
