IDF Intercepts Houthi Missile Targeting Israel Amid Rising Tensions

In the early hours of Tuesday morning, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) successfully intercepted a missile fired from Yemen, aimed at central Israel. The projectile triggered sirens across central and southern Israel, but no casualties were reported. Over 20 people were treated by Magen David Adom (MDA) paramedics for injuries sustained while seeking shelter, as well as anxiety-related symptoms. One individual, a 60-year-old woman, was severely injured while trying to reach a shelter and was evacuated to Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv for further care.

This attack comes amid escalating tensions between Israel and the Houthi rebel group from Yemen, which has pledged to continue targeting Israel. In a tweet following the missile launch, Houthi official Hezam al-Asad declared, "We will not stop until the aggression against our people in Gaza stops," further criticizing Israeli leadership.

Rising Threats and Retaliatory Strikes

The missile interception follows previous Houthi missile attacks on Israel, including one on Saturday in which 16 people were lightly injured in Tel Aviv. The escalation has prompted the IDF to respond with airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen’s capital, Sana’a. In addition, the U.S. military has carried out strikes on Houthi missile storage and command facilities.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has warned of a strong retaliation, stating that Israel will strike Houthi infrastructure and leadership decisively, mirroring past actions against Hamas and Hezbollah. The recent missile threat underscores the growing concerns of regional instability and the impact of Iran-backed groups on Israel’s security.

The ongoing conflict highlights the broader regional dynamics, with the Houthis, who are backed by Iran, increasingly engaging in military actions against Israel. Katz emphasized that Israel has been successful in neutralizing other groups in the region, and warned that the same fate would await the Houthis.