A “suspicious aerial target” identified as a cruise missile landed in an open area near Eilat, Israel. The missile, fired by Iranian-backed Yemen-based Houthi rebels, breached the country’s air defense system for the first time.
Houthi Strike on Israeli Territory
The missile hit Israeli territory on a Monday morning, with the IDF confirming the event. While the origins of the missile were not specified by the Israeli army, the Houthis later claimed responsibility for the attack. Fortunately, there were no reported damages or injuries.
Response and Investigation
The Israel Defense Forces tracked the missile throughout the incident and have initiated an investigation into the matter. This marks the first successful Houthi projectile hitting Israeli territory, as previous attempts were intercepted by defense systems.
Houthi Attacks Amid Ongoing Conflict
Since the conflict between Israel and Hamas began, triggered by an attack by the Palestinian militant group, the Houthis have made multiple attempts to strike Israel with ballistic missiles. Their recent actions include targeting the Israeli port city and resort with missiles, as well as a naval missile aimed at a fuel tanker in the Red Sea.
Targeting Commercial Shipping
The Houthis have disrupted international commercial shipping in the Red Sea by launching drones and missiles at ships since mid-November. Their actions, including targeting the American-flagged LPG tanker MADO, have raised concerns about maritime security in the region.
