By Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for launching a significant number of ballistic missiles and drones towards Israel while issuing a warning of more attacks in the future.
Israel responded by intercepting an unidentified “aerial target” over the Red Sea, assuring the public that there was no threat to civilians. The incident triggered air raid sirens in the popular Red Sea tourist resort of Eilat, prompting residents to seek shelter.
The Israeli military disclosed that they employed the “Arrow” aerial defense system for the first time since the outbreak of the conflict with Hamas on October 7, intercepting a surface-to-surface missile fired towards their territory in the Red Sea.
Yahya Saree, a spokesperson for the Houthi military, confirmed that this was the third operation targeting Israel and warned of further strikes until “Israeli aggression stops.”
A senior Houthi official stated that the Iran-backed Yemeni group had dispatched drones towards southern Israel, emphasizing that these drones belonged to Yemen.
These events occur in the context of escalating regional tensions during the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. This situation raises concerns for Israel, which is already engaged in a conflict with Iran-backed Hezbollah on its northern front.
On the 27th of October, drones triggered explosions in the coastal towns of Taba and Nuweiba along the Egyptian Red Sea, in close proximity to the Israeli border. Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs attributed these attacks to Iran-backed Houthis, who launched drones and missiles with the intent of harming Israel.
Just two days before these incidents, Hamas, the governing group in the Gaza Strip, claimed responsibility for launching a rocket towards Eilat. The Israeli military confirmed that the rocket landed in an open field.
Furthermore, the U.S. military reported intercepting projectiles launched by the Houthis, potentially aimed at Israel, in the northern Red Sea, adding to regional tensions.
These developments follow a surprise attack by Hamas inside Israel on October 7, resulting in increased exchanges of cross-border fire between Hezbollah and Israel. Iran has firmly rejected any connection to the Hamas attack.
Simultaneously, Israel has expanded its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip in recent days, which has been under relentless bombardment for more than three weeks.
Gaza officials report over 8,000 Palestinian casualties due to Israeli air attacks, while Israel has seen a death toll exceeding 1,400, according to Israeli authorities.
This ongoing conflict in the region has significant international implications and has drawn widespread attention. As the situation continues to evolve, it remains a focal point of concern for global security and stability.
