The Houthi militia group in Yemen launched a missile at Israel on Tuesday, coinciding with remarks from Israel’s defense minister about targeting Houthi leadership. This incident underscores the challenges Israel faces in addressing the Iran-backed group as they escalate their attacks.
Sirens were activated in Tel Aviv and other central regions of Israel early Tuesday, with loud explosions audible as far as Jerusalem. Israel's aerial defense systems successfully intercepted the missile outside its borders, and there were no reported casualties.
The Houthis, who govern much of northern Yemen, have been targeting Israel in solidarity with Palestinians since the Hamas-led attacks on October 7, 2023, which initiated the ongoing conflict in Gaza. They have also begun launching missiles and drones at cargo vessels in the Red Sea, disrupting international trade as part of a self-declared embargo against Israel.
According to Farea al-Muslimi, a Yemeni research fellow, the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have been perceived as successful, enhancing the group's regional influence despite limited direct impact on Israel.
While Houthi missiles and drones have breached Israeli defenses on a few occasions, experts indicate that these assaults have increased the group's prominence in the region, even as Israel concentrates its military efforts on other Iran-aligned factions like Hamas and Hezbollah.
The Israeli military's focus on the Houthis intensifies as it continues its ground and air operations in northern Gaza amid rising pressure from the international community and domestic audiences to conclude the conflict.
On Tuesday, the Israeli military released an investigation into the deaths of six hostages found in a Hamas tunnel in Rafah, concluding that they were "brutally murdered" by Hamas, influenced by Israeli military activities in the area.
This report marks the second such finding this month, igniting discussions in Israel regarding the implications of military actions on hostage safety. The Hostages Families Forum emphasized the necessity for a cease-fire with Hamas to facilitate the return of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
Additionally, the forum announced the death of Hanna Katzir, a hostage released after 49 days, attributing her demise to the trauma endured during captivity.
Following the military report, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office indicated that an Israeli negotiating team would return from Qatar after significant discussions regarding a cease-fire with Hamas, although no timeline for an agreement was provided.
The frequency of Houthi missile attacks on Israel appears to be increasing, with at least eight incidents reported since early December. Recent attacks included a missile landing in Tel Aviv and damage to a school in Ramat Gan.
In retaliation, Israeli warplanes have targeted Houthi positions in Yemen, while the United States has conducted airstrikes against Houthi targets, aiming to deter further assaults. However, analysts suggest these military actions have had limited success in curtailing Houthi operations.
Experts assert that the Houthis are likely to maintain their leverage even if a cease-fire in Gaza is achieved, as their missile strikes can create significant psychological and economic repercussions for Israel.
Israeli officials have begun to advocate for more decisive measures against the Houthis. Defense Minister Israel Katz has threatened to eliminate Houthi leadership and destroy their strategic infrastructure, following a pattern of targeting adversary commanders in recent conflicts.
However, the geographical distance and the larger scale of Yemen compared to Gaza and Lebanon complicate military efforts against the Houthis, making them a more challenging target.
The United States and Britain classify the Houthis as a terrorist organization, and Saudi Arabia has led military campaigns against them in Yemen amid a prolonged humanitarian crisis.
Despite enduring years of military action, the Houthis have expanded their ambitions, raising questions about the effectiveness of military pressure in influencing their actions.