A missile launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels struck a public park in southern Tel Aviv in the early hours of Saturday, marking the second such attack in as many days. Israeli authorities confirmed that attempts to intercept the missile failed, allowing it to explode within the city’s densely populated area. The incident has heightened concerns over Israel’s vulnerability to increasingly sophisticated threats from Iran-backed groups in the region.
Details of the Strike
The missile, identified as a hypersonic ballistic weapon, was launched shortly before 4 a.m., triggering sirens across central Israel and sending millions of residents to shelters. Medics treated 16 people for injuries caused by shattered glass, including a three-year-old child, while others sustained bruises or panic-related symptoms. A large crater marked the impact site in the park, and nearby buildings suffered extensive damage.
This marks a rare direct hit on Tel Aviv, a city typically shielded by Israel’s advanced air defence systems. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) attributed the failure to intercept the missile to its advanced design and speed, with investigations ongoing.
A Pattern of Escalation
The attack follows another Houthi missile strike on Thursday, which resulted in significant damage to a school in Ramat Gan, near Tel Aviv. Although partially intercepted outside Israeli airspace, the warhead from that missile caused severe damage upon impact. In response, Israel conducted large-scale airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, aiming to cripple the group’s operational capabilities.
The Israeli military confirmed that 14 fighter jets, supported by refuellers and surveillance aircraft, executed the operation, striking over 60 targets. The strikes reportedly destroyed fuel depots, power stations, and tugboats at Houthi-controlled ports, effectively paralysing their maritime operations. This marked the third such Israeli counterstrike in Yemen since the Houthis began targeting Israel in the aftermath of Hamas’s attack in October 2023.
Regional Implications
The Houthis, backed by Iran, have escalated their missile and drone attacks against Israel, firing over 200 missiles and 170 drones in the past year. Most have been intercepted or failed to reach their targets, but recent strikes have demonstrated an increased capability to breach Israel’s defences. The Houthis, along with other Iran-aligned groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, have intensified their operations as part of a coordinated response to Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed a strong response, warning that “anyone who attacks Israel pays a very heavy price.” Thursday’s airstrikes were described as a severe blow to the Houthis, targeting critical infrastructure and military assets. However, the group remains active, continuing to launch attacks on Israel and disrupting international shipping in the Red Sea.
Broader Context
The attacks on Tel Aviv come amid an ongoing conflict that began in October 2023, when Hamas launched a large-scale assault on Israel, killing over 1,000 people and taking hundreds hostage. Israel’s subsequent military operations in Gaza have led to significant casualties and widespread destruction, prompting a regional backlash.
Iran’s involvement in supporting groups like the Houthis and Hezbollah has further complicated the conflict, drawing in broader international concerns. The Red Sea, a vital global shipping route, has also become a flashpoint, with Houthi forces targeting merchant vessels in the waterway.
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