A missile fired by Yemen’s Iran-backed rebels landed in an open area in central Israel, triggering air raid sirens at Ben Gurion International Airport. Although there were no casualties or major damage, Israel hinted at a possible military response. The Israeli military attempted several interceptions of the missile, but it fragmented midair. The incident is still under review, and the sound of explosions in the area came from the interceptors. The Yemeni rebels, known as Houthis, have targeted Israel with drones and missiles throughout the Gaza conflict.
In response to the attack, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated that the country would exact a heavy price for any further attempts to harm Israel. Netanyahu referenced the port city of Hodeidah, which was targeted by Israeli airstrikes in the past. The Houthis claim they fired a ballistic missile at a military target in the Tel Aviv area, highlighting their ongoing attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. Despite targeting ships unrelated to Israel, the rebels portray their actions as a blockade in support of the Palestinians.
As the conflict continues, the European Union naval mission in the Red Sea announced that salvagers are towing a tanker that had been on fire for weeks following a Houthi attack. The war in Gaza has created regional tensions, with Iran supporting various militant groups, including Hamas, the Houthis, and Lebanon’s Hezbollah. These groups have carried out attacks on Israeli and U.S. targets, leading to retaliatory strikes. International carriers have canceled flights to and from Israel due to the conflict, adding to the economic toll on the country.
The Israeli military recently announced that three hostages found dead months ago were likely killed in an Israeli airstrike, along with a senior Hamas militant. The army mentioned a high probability based on investigations into the deaths of the hostages who were kidnapped during Hamas’ initial attack. Israeli forces have been recovering hostages’ bodies, with hundreds still in captivity or believed to be dead. The army’s announcement marks the first time it has linked hostage deaths to airstrikes in the conflict.
Further complications arose when around 40 projectiles were fired from Lebanon into Israel, with most being intercepted or falling in open areas. In response, Israeli forces dropped leaflets instructing a town to evacuate, but the military clarified that there were no such orders. The strikes along the Israel-Lebanon border have displaced many people. Israel continues to threaten a wider military operation against Hezbollah in order to restore safety to its citizens. The conflict in Gaza has also led to the blocking of smuggling tunnels, with Egypt sealing off tunnels on its side of the border. Israel’s argument for lasting control over the Gaza side of the border faces challenges, as Egypt denies allegations of cross-border smuggling. Efforts to broker a truce and release hostages held by Hamas have faced repeated obstacles, highlighting the complex dynamics of the conflict.
