The Israeli Air Force intercepted a missile fired from Yemen Friday night, triggering sirens across central Israel, including the Tel Aviv metropolitan area, the Sharon region, the Shephelah lowlands and areas surrounding Jerusalem.
In recent months, the Houthis have intensified their attacks on maritime traffic along key trade routes between Asia and Europe, resulting in the deaths of civilian crew members and disruptions to international shipping.
Despite multiple military responses, Israel continues to struggle with deterring the threat posed by the Houthis, whose launch sites lie some 2,000 kilometers (about 1,240 miles) from Israeli territory and have repeatedly disrupted daily life for millions.
As is customary on Fridays, the Houthis held mass demonstrations in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa in support of Gaza. This week’s protests were held under the slogan, “We will continue to support Gaza and confront the Zionists.”
In a speech on Thursday, Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi referenced the situation at Israel’s Red Sea port of Eilat, which may face closure next week. “The sinking of two ships belonging to companies that violated the ban on sailing to Israel has once again shut down the port of Eilat after attempts to reopen it,” he declared.
