Yemen's Houthi movement announced on Sunday that it launched multiple ballistic missiles at Jaffa in central Israel over the past 24 hours, marking a significant escalation in regional tensions. The group's spokesperson, Yahya Saree, stated the attacks were conducted using advanced Palestine 2 hypersonic ballistic missiles and coordinated with Iran.
The strikes come amid heightened exchanges between Israel and Iran, with Saree emphasizing the Houthis' “support for Palestinian resistance.” Analysts note this development underscores the widening regional dimensions of the Israel-Iran rivalry, as the Houthis continue leveraging their alliance with Tehran to project influence beyond Yemen's borders.
Security experts warn such attacks could disrupt shipping lanes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, potentially impacting global energy markets. The Houthis have previously targeted commercial vessels in what they describe as pressure campaigns against Israel and its allies.
While Israel has not officially confirmed the Jaffa strike, defense officials have acknowledged intercepting “hostile projectiles” in recent hours. The incident raises questions about regional escalation dynamics as multiple Middle Eastern actors position themselves amid ongoing geopolitical realignments.
