Israel faces unprecedented missile threat as Houthis claim successful attack, IDF investigates failure of multiple interception attempts.

In a brazen escalation, Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched a ballistic missile toward central Israel this morning, reportedly evading Israeli and American defense systems. The missile targeted a military installation in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area, forcing over two million residents into shelters as sirens blared across the city and surrounding regions.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed responsibility in a televised statement, declaring that a hypersonic missile was launched and penetrated Israeli air defenses, generating widespread fear and confusion. “It forced more than two million Zionists to run to shelters for the first time in the enemy’s history,” Saree boasted. The attack came just weeks before the anniversary of the October 7 attack and is allegedly in retaliation for an Israeli airstrike on Yemen’s Hodeidah port in June. The Houthis’ decision to attack, Saree said, was part of their “religious and moral duty” to support the Palestinian cause.

The missile attack follows several incidents involving rocket fire from northern and southern fronts, but this strike marks the first time a ballistic missile from Yemen has directly targeted Israel. The choice of a hypersonic missile—known for its speed and maneuverability—raises concerns about the vulnerabilities in Israel’s highly regarded multi-layered defense system. I reportedly flew from Yemen in under 12 minutes.

Nasruddin Amer, the deputy head of the Houthi media office, also took to X (formerly Twitter) to mock Israel’s missile defenses, claiming that “20 Israeli interceptors failed to hit the missile.” He further suggested this was only the “beginning” of more sophisticated attacks to come. According to Amer, this strike should serve as a warning, heralding future “quality operations” in the Houthis’ broader campaign.

While initial reports suggest no casualties from the missile impact, residents in the Tel Aviv region recounted the panic that swept through the city. “The sirens sounded, and we had just minutes to rush to the shelters,” said a Tel Aviv resident. “We’ve experienced rockets before, but this time felt different. There was real fear in the air.”

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed an attempted interception but provided few details on the missile’s trajectory or the specific military target. A senior IDF officer speaking on condition of anonymity said, “We are conducting a thorough investigation into the interception failure. Our defense systems are designed to handle such threats, but in this instance, something clearly went wrong.”

Israel operates several layers of missile defense systems, including the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and the Arrow system, all designed to intercept different ranges and types of missiles. U.S.-supplied systems, including the Patriot missile battery, are also stationed in Israel, particularly around sensitive military installations. Despite this, the missile appears to have avoided detection until it was too late.

This incident is likely to spark renewed debate on the efficacy of Israel’s defense infrastructure, which has been bolstered in recent years amid increasing threats from Iran and its proxies. Analysts have pointed out that while Israel’s missile defense systems have proven effective in repelling short-range rocket fire from Hamas and Hezbollah, a hypersonic missile poses a different level of complexity. “Hypersonic missiles move at speeds over five times the speed of sound and are capable of evasive maneuvers. It’s not surprising that such a projectile could overwhelm existing systems,” explained defense expert Michael Barak from the Israeli Institute for National Security Studies.

This attack comes at a time of heightened tensions in the region, with Iran openly backing the Houthi rebels and continuing to provide advanced weaponry to groups hostile to Israel. The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas has also drawn the Houthis into the fray, leading to increased missile and drone strikes from Yemen toward Israel’s southern territory. The Houthis have vowed to step up their military operations, claiming that their reach now extends well beyond Israel’s southern border.

The United States has strongly condemned the missile attack. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, in a statement, reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to Israel’s security, noting that U.S. forces in the region are on high alert. “We are working closely with our Israeli counterparts to address the gaps in missile defense and ensure that such an incident does not occur again,” said Austin. “Iran’s proxies in Yemen must understand that we will not tolerate attacks on our allies.”

The situation is being closely monitored by Israel’s defense establishment. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened an emergency security cabinet meeting to assess the response to the missile threat and decide on potential retaliatory measures.

In a brief statement following the meeting, Netanyahu stressed that Israel would not hesitate to respond forcefully. “The Houthis should have known by now that we exact a heavy price for any attempt to harm us,” he says at the beginning of the weekly cabinet meeting. “Those who need a reminder are welcome to visit the port of Hodeida.” Israel launched an attack on the main harbor controlled by the Houthis on July 20 after a drone launched by the group struck Tel Aviv, killing a man and injuring four others.

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree claimed responsibiliy for this morning’s ballistic missile attack.

“Anyone who attacks us will not escape our reach,” Netanyahu said. “Hamas is already learning this” he adds, vowing that the Gazan terror group will be destroyed and will free the hostages it holds.

Responding to exasperated calls from residents of northern Israel concerning the daily attacks by Hezbollah, Netanyahu insisted that “the status quo will not continue.” He promised a “change in the balance of power” along the border, and pledged to do “everything necessary” to let Israelis in the north to return home.

For now, Tel Aviv and surrounding areas remain on high alert as the IDF investigates the technical failures that allowed this missile to penetrate the most advanced defense systems. In the meantime, the Houthi missile attack serves as a stark reminder that Israel faces threats from multiple fronts, as proxy groups emboldened by Iran continue to challenge its security.