Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched a missile strike against Israel, injuring over a dozen people and escalating regional tensions.
At a Glance
- A missile from Yemen struck Tel Aviv, marking a rare failed interception over the city
- Yemen’s Houthi forces claimed responsibility, using a hypersonic ballistic missile named “Palestine 2”
- The attack injured 16 people and caused damage to an amusement park in Tel Aviv
- The Houthis stated the attack was in response to Israeli actions in Gaza
- Israel responded with airstrikes on military targets in Yemen
Houthi Missile Strike on Tel Aviv
In a significant escalation of regional conflict, Yemen’s Houthi rebels successfully launched a missile strike against Israel, injuring more than a dozen people. The attack, which targeted Tel Aviv, marked a rare instance where Israel’s advanced air defense systems failed to intercept an incoming projectile. The missile, reportedly named “Palestine 2” by the Houthis, caused damage to an amusement park and sparked alarm among residents.
The Israeli military acknowledged its failure to intercept the projectile, which resulted in injuries to 16 people, primarily from glass shards. Air raid sirens sounded in Tel Aviv’s Jaffa district, sending residents scrambling for shelter. The attack created a large crater at an amusement park and caused a significant fire, highlighting the potential for more severe consequences in future strikes.
#Yemen’s #Houthis claim missile attack on central #Israel https://t.co/ofFWkdoFr9
— Arab News (@arabnews) December 21, 2024
Houthi Motivations and Regional Context
The Houthi rebels, an Iran-supported group based in Yemen, claimed responsibility for the missile attack. They stated that the strike was in response to Israeli actions in Gaza, where ongoing conflict has resulted in a high number of civilian casualties. The Houthis have positioned themselves as supporters of the Palestinian cause, using this as justification for their attacks on Israel.
“The massacres against our brothers in Gaza,” the Houthis said, citing their motivation for the attack.
This latest attack is part of a broader pattern of Houthi aggression against Israel. Since October 7, 2023, the group has launched over 200 missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles towards Israeli territory. The majority of these attacks have been intercepted over the Red Sea, making the successful strike on Tel Aviv particularly concerning for Israeli defense officials.
Israeli Response and Regional Implications
In response to the ongoing Houthi threat, Israel has conducted retaliatory strikes against the group’s military targets in Yemen. These strikes have targeted infrastructure and power facilities, aiming to degrade the Houthis’ ability to launch further attacks. However, the effectiveness of these counter-measures remains to be seen, as the Houthis continue to demonstrate their long-range strike capabilities.
“The Israeli military said the air strikes weren’t a direct response to the missile launch but instead a preplanned response to months of Houthi aggression,” the Associated Press reported.
The conflict has broader implications for regional stability and international shipping. The Houthis have also targeted vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, prompting retaliatory strikes by U.S. and British forces. This has raised concerns about the security of vital shipping lanes and the potential for a wider regional conflict.
