Skip to main content

Houthi missile claims: IDF responds with interception and readiness

1 min

The Houthi rebels in Yemen announced on Wednesday that they launched a new missile toward Israel, marking another escalation in their involvement in the ongoing conflict. 

The Houthis, supported by Iran, are part of the so-called "axis of resistance," a coalition of groups opposing Israel, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and various Iraqi militias © Mena Today 

The Houthi rebels in Yemen announced on Wednesday that they launched a new missile toward Israel, marking another escalation in their involvement in the ongoing conflict. 

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported intercepting the projectile, launched from Yemeni territory, before it could enter Israeli airspace.

Yahya Saree, the military spokesperson for the Iran-backed Houthis, declared that a "Palestine 2 hypersonic ballistic missile" had successfully struck a "military target" in Jaffa, south of Tel Aviv. Saree’s statement claimed the strike was a continuation of their solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing war in Gaza.

Contrary to the Houthi claim, the IDF confirmed earlier via Telegram that it intercepted the missile over international waters. In response to potential debris fallout, precautionary sirens were activated across central Israel.

This is the latest in a series of missile launches by the Houthis, who have increased their military activities against Israel since the Gaza war began in October 2023, following the unprecedented Hamas assault on Israeli territory. 

On Tuesday, the Houthis claimed another missile launch targeting central Israel, which the IDF also intercepted without casualties.

The Houthis, supported by Iran, are part of the so-called "axis of resistance," a coalition of groups opposing Israel, including Hamas, Hezbollah, and various Iraqi militias. 

The rebels frequently target shipping linked to Israel, the United States, and the United Kingdom in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, drawing retaliatory strikes from U.S. forces and occasionally British forces.

The IDF has vowed to neutralize the threat from Yemen. Following a missile strike on Saturday that evaded interception, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in Parliament that the military had been directed to "destroy the infrastructure" of the Houthi rebels. 

Netanyahu emphasized, "Anyone who attempts to harm us must be struck with great force."

Related

Yemen

Critical infrastructure struck in Yemen

Israel struck multiple targets linked to the Iran-aligned Houthi movement in Yemen on Thursday, including Sanaa International Airport, and Houthi media said at least six people were killed.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Mena banner 4

To make this website run properly and to improve your experience, we use cookies. For more detailed information, please check our Cookie Policy.

  • Necessary cookies enable core functionality. The website cannot function properly without these cookies, and can only be disabled by changing your browser preferences.