Houthi Forces Intensify Attacks on Israel Amid Ongoing Conflict
In a bold statement, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, the military spokesman for the Houthi movement, declared that the group has launched missile and drone strikes targeting Tel Aviv and Ashkelon, asserting their solidarity with the Palestinian and Lebanese people. The attacks were carried out on Thursday night and Friday, with the Houthis employing a Palestine 2 ballistic missile against the Jaffa area and a Jaffa drone aimed at a vital target in Ashkelon. Saree emphasized that these operations were successful and vowed to continue military actions until the Israeli aggression ceases in Gaza and Lebanon.
The Palestine 2 missile, revealed by the Houthis in June 2024, is a hypersonic ballistic missile with a striking range of 2,150 km. The Jaffa drone, unveiled in July 2024, can target areas up to 2,300 km away, marking a significant escalation in the group’s military capabilities. The Israeli ambulance service reported that 18 individuals were injured in Tel Aviv during the ensuing chaos as residents rushed to shelters following the attack sirens.
Historical Context and Recent Developments
This recent escalation is not an isolated incident; the Houthis had previously attempted missile strikes towards Israel. On September 15, the Israeli army intercepted a missile launched from Yemen, which resulted in minor injuries as civilians sought safety during the alarm. Reports indicate that Israel maintains a strict military censorship regarding the impacts of these strikes to maintain public morale and discourage resistance sentiments.
The ongoing conflict, particularly since the outbreak of hostilities in Gaza on October 7, 2023, has seen the Houthis expanding their military operations to include attacks on Israeli-linked vessels in the Red Sea. In retaliation, the United States and Britain have initiated airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen, leading the group to designate American and British ships as military targets. This shift in strategy highlights the increasing complexity of the regional conflict and the Houthis' commitment to their allies in the face of escalating tensions.
