On Sunday, Israel intercepted a missile launched from Yemen, while the Yemeni Houthi movement claimed to have fired several missiles at the Israeli city of Eilat. This escalation followed Israel's first public strike against the Iran-aligned group the previous day. The Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, have been launching missiles and drones at Israel, citing retaliation for Israel's assault on Gaza. These actions have further destabilized the Middle East as the conflict in Gaza continues after nine months.
Israel reports that the Houthis have conducted 200 attacks since the Gaza war began, with most being intercepted and non-lethal. However, a rare Houthi drone strike on Friday targeted Tel Aviv, killing one person, prompting Israel to respond with airstrikes on Saturday near the Yemeni port of Hodeidah, resulting in six deaths and over 80 injuries according to local medics. The Houthis have vowed to continue their attacks, targeting sensitive Israeli institutions.
The Israeli military's Arrow 3 missile defense system successfully intercepted a surface-to-surface missile from Yemen on Sunday before it reached Israeli territory. This incident caused air raid sirens to sound in Eilat, leading residents to seek shelter.
The conflict between Israel and the Houthis, part of a broader spillover from the Gaza war, began with the Houthi drone strike in Tel Aviv. The Israeli air raid on Hodeidah hit an oil facility and power station, according to a Houthi-run TV channel. Israeli officials claim that Hodeidah port has been a conduit for weapons shipments from Iran to the Houthis.
This situation is part of a proxy battle, with Iran-aligned groups, including the Houthis, launching rockets and missiles at Israel in support of Palestinians and Hamas, which governs Gaza. The United States and its allies support Israel, providing it with weapons. The conflict began on October 7, following a Hamas-led attack in southern Israel that resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and over 250 hostages taken to Gaza. Israel's subsequent bombing and invasion of Gaza have resulted in nearly 39,000 deaths according to health officials in Gaza.
The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen and other large population centers, have previously targeted Eilat and other Israeli locations, claiming retaliation for Israel's actions in Gaza. The group has also attacked Red Sea shipping routes for months. The Houthis, along with Hezbollah in Lebanon and Iraqi paramilitaries, are allies of Hamas, receiving backing from Iran. The Houthi movement primarily consists of a minority Shi'ite Muslim group in Yemen and has controlled the capital, Sanaa, for years.