Israel Intercepts Second Ballistic Missile from Yemen Amid Growing Tensions

Israel’s military successfully intercepted a ballistic missile launched at the country from Yemen early Monday morning, marking the second such attack in just days. The missile, fired by the Iran-backed Houthi militia, was aimed at the Israel Defense Forces’ Nahal Sorek base, located roughly between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The base serves as the army’s Ammunition Center, which handles the storage and distribution of weapons, including missiles.

Houthi Attack and Regional Impact

The missile triggered sirens in Beit Shemesh, a city in central Israel, and areas of the southern West Bank. Shrapnel from the intercepted missile caused a fire in Beit Shemesh, prompting emergency services to carry out extinguishing operations and further scans for potential additional fires caused by debris.

The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that it was aimed at the Israeli military base in solidarity with Hamas. The Houthis, who have been targeting Israel and international shipping over the past year, have been vocal in their support for Palestinian terror groups.

Drone Attacks and Regional Escalation

The missile strike comes amid other hostilities from Iran-backed groups. Israel’s air defenses also shot down four drones launched from Iraq in the early hours of Monday. The drones, which were targeted at various sites in Israel, were claimed by the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a coalition of pro-Iran factions. These UAVs were reportedly aimed at "vital targets" in both northern and southern Israel.

The ongoing hostilities come as the Houthis have launched over 220 attacks, including missiles, drones, and cruise missiles, targeting Israel in the past year. These attacks are part of a broader pattern of aggression that has seen attacks on Israeli military installations, shipping lanes in the Red Sea, and civilian infrastructure.

Global Maritime Threat

Beyond these missile and drone strikes, the Houthis have disrupted global trade routes, especially in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, regions that see approximately 12% of global shipping. In response, both the U.S. and the U.K. have conducted airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen, aiming to neutralize their advanced weapons and defend international maritime traffic.

In addition, Israel has retaliated with airstrikes of its own, targeting Houthi assets and operational centers in Yemen, including one strike that killed an individual in Tel Aviv earlier this year.