Houthi Missile Attack Escalates Israel Conflict

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that a missile launched by Yemen's Houthi rebels landed in central Israel on Sunday, but clarified that it was not a hypersonic missile as claimed by the Houthis. The missile, intercepted by Israel's Arrow and Iron Dome systems, fragmented mid-air, leading to debris falling in various locations, including near a railway station and causing a fire. There were no reported casualties from the impact, although nine people were injured while seeking shelter. This attack marks an escalation in the conflict, prompting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to warn of a heavy response. Analysts suggest this could signal a new phase in the ongoing war, which has seen repeated Houthi missile and drone attacks since the conflict began. The IDF continues to investigate the incident to understand why the missile was not completely destroyed in the air.