Houthis Launch Missile, Drone Strikes on Multiple Israeli Cities, IDF Intercepts

The Iran-backed Yemeni Houthi group has escalated its attacks on Israel, recently launching a hypersonic ballistic missile, named Falasteen-2, targeting a sensitive location near Beersheba, alongside coordinated drone strikes on Eilat, Ashkelon, and Hadera. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) intercepted the missile and reported no casualties or damages, though sirens were triggered in several southern and central Israeli regions, including the Dead Sea area. This marks part of a sustained campaign by the Houthis since late 2023, aimed at supporting Palestinians in Gaza and disrupting maritime traffic linked to Israel, with repeated missile and drone launches following the collapse of a ceasefire earlier this year. Israel has responded with airstrikes on Houthi-controlled infrastructure in Yemen, including the Hodeida port, targeting the group's military capabilities. The Houthis have vowed further escalations in retaliation for Israel's ongoing operations in Gaza, emphasizing their intent to continue attacks until their demands are met. The recent attacks have also caused temporary disruptions to operations at Ben Gurion Airport, highlighting the broader security challenges faced by Israel amid the regional conflict.