A missile launched by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels struck central Israel on Sunday, intensifying tensions nearly a year into the Gaza war. The attack, which caused a fire and some damage near Tel Aviv but resulted in no casualties, was condemned by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who vowed the Houthis would face a “heavy price” for their actions.
This strike comes as regional hostilities continue to escalate following the October 7 attack by Hamas, which initially sparked the ongoing conflict. In response, Hamas praised the missile launch, reiterating that Israel would not experience security unless it ceased its military actions in Gaza.
While no direct injuries from the missile impact were reported, several individuals were slightly hurt as they scrambled to reach shelters when sirens sounded. The attack also caused damage to a train station in Modiin, about 20 kilometers southeast of Tel Aviv, and debris from Israel’s air-defense system was found nearby.
The Houthis claimed their missile targeted an Israeli “military position,” marking another instance of the group’s involvement in the Gaza conflict. Netanyahu responded firmly, stating that any attempt to harm Israel would come at a steep cost.
Earlier in July, the Houthis managed to carry out a drone strike that killed a civilian in Tel Aviv, an incident that led to Israeli retaliatory airstrikes in Yemen. Sunday’s missile attack, the Houthis stated, was carried out using a ballistic missile that reportedly penetrated Israel’s air defenses.
The Houthis have launched several missile and drone attacks on Israel in recent months as a show of solidarity with Gaza, disrupting global shipping routes and heightening regional instability. The group’s leader, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, warned that more such operations would continue as long as Israeli actions in Gaza persisted.
Meanwhile, tensions on Israel’s northern border with Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement have also been escalating, with cross-border skirmishes posing the risk of a broader conflict. On Sunday, Israel’s military dropped leaflets urging residents of a Lebanese border village to evacuate, signaling the potential for further military actions.
In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes continued to cause devastation, with rescuers reporting at least 15 people killed in strikes on central and northern areas. Israel’s military campaign, which has been ongoing since Hamas’ initial attack, has resulted in over 41,000 deaths in Gaza, according to local health officials.
With efforts from international mediators like Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S. still failing to secure a ceasefire or hostage release, the conflict shows no signs of abating, and the humanitarian crisis continues to worsen.