By The Houthis have launched a hypersonic ballistic missile at central Israel in response to Israeli strikes that have resulted in the deaths of over 41,000 Palestinians in Gaza over the past 11 months. Yemen’s military spokesperson, Yahya Sarea, reported that the missile, which traveled 2,040 kilometers in less than 12 minutes, was a new addition to their arsenal. Although Israel’s military stated that the missile fell in an open area and no injuries were reported, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that the Houthis would face severe repercussions for their actions.
Following the attack, photographs captured scenes of firefighters extinguishing flames near Lod and broken glass at a train station in Modin, about 20 kilometers from Tel Aviv. Netanyahu emphasized that any attempt to harm Israel would be met with a heavy price, asserting that the Houthis would face severe retaliation.
Hamas publicly endorsed the missile strike, with leaders vowing that Israel would not experience security until it ceases its aggressive actions in Gaza. A senior Hamas official criticized the U.S. for not exerting enough pressure on Israel to negotiate a truce. Osama Hamdan, speaking from Istanbul, stated that the American administration was failing to hold Israel accountable and was instead justifying Israel’s evasion of commitments. He also mentioned that despite the heavy toll and sacrifices, the Palestinian resistance remains resilient and capable of continuing their struggle.
In addition, Israel dropped leaflets over a village in southern Lebanon, urging residents to evacuate. This move was later retracted by the Israeli military, which described it as an initiative taken without proper approval. This was the first time in 11 months of cross-border conflict between Hezbollah and Israel that such a warning had been issued.
On Sunday, Netanyahu also suggested that the status quo with Hezbollah would no longer be acceptable and that a change in the balance of power on Israel’s northern border was necessary. The ongoing conflict and retaliatory actions reflect the high tensions and complex dynamics in the region as both sides continue their military engagements and diplomatic maneuvering.
