Netanyahu Warns Houthis of Severe Retaliation Following Missile Strike on Israel

World News 16/09/2024

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a stern warning to Yemen’s Houthi rebels, stating they will face severe consequences after the group claimed responsibility for a ballistic missile strike on Israel. This marks the first missile attack by the Houthis on Israeli territory, and their leader has indicated the possibility of further strikes.

The missile, described by the Houthis as a hypersonic surface-to-surface missile, activated air raid sirens across Israel at around 6:30 a.m. Local media broadcast footage of people rushing to shelters at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv. The missile reportedly struck an open area in the Ben Shemen Forest, causing a fire near Kfar Daniel. No casualties or significant damage were reported.

Israeli forces are investigating whether the fire was caused by debris from interceptor missiles or if the projectile successfully evaded Israel’s air defenses, as claimed by the Houthis. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the deployment of interceptor missiles from the Iron Dome and Arrow defense systems but have not yet confirmed if the missile was intercepted. An initial investigation suggests the missile may have broken apart mid-air following several interception attempts, with the incident still under review.

During a cabinet meeting, Netanyahu suggested a possible military retaliation, emphasizing that any attack on Israel will come with a heavy cost. He referenced a previous attack on the Yemeni city of Hodeidah, which Israeli forces bombed in July after a Houthi drone strike killed a civilian in Tel Aviv.

On the same day, Houthi leader Abdul-Malek al-Houthi warned that the attack was part of a broader escalation, with more significant actions planned in the future. Another Houthi official, Yahya Saree, claimed the missile traveled 1,270 miles in just 11 minutes and evaded Israel’s defenses, while Houthi media officials described the attack as only the beginning of a larger campaign.

Israeli media has reported that the missile, which may have been equipped with wings and advanced navigation systems, made interception particularly difficult. This comes as the Houthis, aligned with Iran, have repeatedly launched missiles and drones toward Israel, most of which have been intercepted over the Red Sea. They have also targeted commercial shipping to enforce what they call a blockade on Israel in support of the Palestinians.

If confirmed, this would be the first time a missile launched from Yemen has landed on Israeli soil. In a related incident in July, a Houthi drone killed one person and injured several others in Tel Aviv, raising concerns about Israel’s air defense capabilities.

This missile strike highlights increasing worries about Israel’s ability to defend against simultaneous threats from Gaza, Iran, Lebanon, and Yemen. A senior U.S. official warned earlier this year that Israel’s air defense systems could be overwhelmed by such multiple, coordinated attacks.

Additionally, on Sunday, approximately 40 rockets were launched from Lebanon into Israel, with most being intercepted or landing in unpopulated areas. Tensions are also escalating in the West Bank, where weeks of Israeli military operations have led to unprecedented levels of violence, impacting local communities.

In another incident, a UN worker in the West Bank was killed by sniper fire, marking the first death of an employee of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees in more than a decade. Meanwhile, in Jerusalem, a police officer was injured in a stabbing attack near the Damascus Gate, with the attacker being shot by authorities.

As the war between Israel and Hamas continues, the death toll in Gaza has surpassed 41,000, with the majority being civilians. The conflict began after a Hamas attack on October 7, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths and the capture of around 250 hostages.