Yemen’s Houthi rebels announced on Tuesday that they launched a “ballistic missile” toward central Israel, a claim made after the Israeli military reported intercepting a “projectile.”
The Houthis, who have recently intensified their attacks against Israel and key maritime routes amid the ongoing Gaza conflict, had last week fired two missiles. These missiles caused damage and injured over a dozen people in Tel Aviv, a major commercial hub.
In a statement, the Houthis claimed they targeted a military site “of the Israeli enemy in the occupied area of Yaffa,” using the Arabic name for Jaffa, part of Tel Aviv. They stated that the attack involved a hypersonic ballistic missile.
The Israeli military confirmed it intercepted “a projectile launched from Yemen” after air raid sirens went off in central and southern Israel. According to their statement, the projectile “was intercepted before entering Israeli territory.” Israel’s emergency medical services reported no injuries from the incident.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the rising attacks by the Houthis on Monday. “I have ordered our forces to destroy the Houthis’ infrastructure because anyone who tries to harm us will face full force,” Netanyahu told lawmakers. “This may take time, but it will be done.”
The Houthis have launched numerous attacks on Israel in support of Hamas, their Palestinian allies. They have also targeted ships in the Red Sea, threatening one of the world’s most critical shipping routes.
