Why in news
Houthi group’s new hypersonic missile managed to evade Israel’s air defence systems as Gaza war enters 12th month.
No reports of casualties
The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has warned Yemen’s Houthi rebels will pay a “heavy price” after the group claimed its first ballistic missile strike on Israel
Israel and Houthi rebels
In response to earlier attacks, Israel conducted airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen, specifically targeting the port of Hodeida, but these actions have not deterred the Houthis.
Israeli officials provided varying accounts of the recent missile attack, indicating either a fire or mid-air fragmentation, which raises concerns about their air defense capabilities.
Israel is already engaged in ongoing conflicts in Gaza and with Hezbollah, complicating its security situation as it now faces threats from the Houthis as well.
The Houthis have survived multiple airstrikes from a Saudi-led coalition since taking control of Yemen in 2014, leading to a fragile ceasefire.
Following Hamas’s attacks on Israel, the Houthis declared war against Israel, targeting shipping in the Red Sea, which prompted a U.S.-led coalition to respond with airstrikes.
The Houthis, supported by Iran, align their actions with regional strategies that bolster their power domestically while challenging Israel.
Israel is now contending with multiple militias (Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis) simultaneously, complicating military solutions.
The ongoing conflicts suggest that unless a ceasefire is achieved in Gaza, the security situation in West Asia is likely to worsen on several fronts.
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