A Houthi missile targeting Israel marks a significant escalation following deadly Israeli airstrikes on Yemen. Will the U.S. be called in?
At a glance:
- A Houthi ballistic missile hit the Tel Aviv-Jaffa area, injuring 16 people.
- The attack follows Israeli airstrikes on Yemen that killed at least nine people earlier this week.
- Houthis claim their strikes are in solidarity with Gaza, where over 45,000 Palestinians have been killed in ongoing conflict.
- Israel and its allies have conducted retaliatory strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen and the Red Sea.
In a dramatic escalation of hostilities, a missile launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels struck the Tel Aviv-Jaffa area on December 21, 2024. The Israeli military confirmed the incident, stating that sirens alerted central Israel to the incoming projectile, which it unsuccessfully attempted to intercept.
The Houthis claimed responsibility for the strike, with a spokesperson asserting that it targeted a “military site” in Jaffa. Israel’s emergency medical service, Magen David Adom, reported 16 injuries, primarily caused by shattered glass from nearby buildings.
Tit-for-Tat Violence Following Israeli Airstrikes in Yemen
The missile attack comes in the wake of Israeli airstrikes on Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, and the port city of Hodeidah. The strikes, conducted on December 19, killed nine people, escalating an already volatile situation.
Earlier that day, the Houthis launched an intercepted missile at Israel, which was followed by Thursday’s retaliation. The group has vowed continued attacks, declaring solidarity with Palestinians amid the devastating Gaza conflict.
A Broader Conflict Rooted in the Gaza War
The Houthis have increased their operations against Israel since October 2023, when Israel initiated an assault on Gaza following a Hamas-led attack. The Houthis, aligned with Palestinian causes, have targeted Israel and Israeli-linked ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, intensifying regional tensions.
In a statement last week, the Houthis pledged to persist in their strikes “until the aggression on Gaza stops and the siege is lifted.” The Gaza war has seen over 45,000 Palestinian deaths, predominantly women and children, fueling further Houthi retaliation.
International Reactions and Broader Implications
The Houthi missile strikes have drawn condemnation from Israel and its Western allies. U.S. and U.K. forces have conducted retaliatory strikes on Houthi positions in response to attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
While the Houthis have positioned themselves as defenders of Gaza, their actions risk broadening the conflict across the Middle East. The missile strike on Tel Aviv represents a significant escalation, raising concerns about a widening war involving regional and international powers.
As hostilities persist, the possibility of de-escalation remains distant, with both sides entrenched in their positions and civilian casualties mounting across the region.
