TEL AVIV, Israel — Following a lull in rocket fire from Gaza and a stable ceasefire with Hezbollah in Lebanon, Israel faces a persistent challenge posed by missile attacks from Yemen’s Houthi rebels. Despite the apparent calm from its closer neighbors, the Iranian-backed Houthis have stepped up their offensive, resulting in widespread fear and disruption among the Israeli population.
With missile attacks occurring in the late hours, hundreds of thousands of residents are forced to seek refuge in shelters. Foreign airlines are hesitant to operate in the region, impacting the already-blighted tourism industry. Some citizens feel like they are in a relentless game of musical chairs, as described by one individual who moved to Tel Aviv to escape Hezbollah threats only to face Houthi missiles in his new home.
Israel has retaliated with significant airstrikes targeting Houthi-controlled ports, oil installations, and the main airport in Sanaa, located approximately 2,000 kilometers (1,200 miles) away. Israeli authorities have made threats against prominent Houthi figures and have attempted to rally global support against these ongoing attacks.
Missiles and drones launched from Yemen have become a near-daily occurrence, with alerts sounding across various regions of Israel. While the majority of these projectiles are intercepted by Israel’s advanced defense systems, some have breached these defenses, causing damage to infrastructure, such as schools and residential buildings.
Despite the overall lack of substantial physical destruction from the Houthi strikes, their implications pose a risk to Israel’s economy, disrupting air travel and stifling tourism initiatives. Houthi attacks in the Red Sea have significantly impacted maritime trade, compelling vessels intended for the Israeli port in Eilat to divert on costlier routes around Africa.
These persistent strikes underscore the symbolic threat of Iran-backed militant groups surrounding Israel, often referred to as the “Axis of Resistance.” The failure of Israeli counterattacks to deter the Houthis challenges Israel’s image as a formidable military force in the region.
Experts believe that the Houthis represent a different type of adversary. They first targeted Israel-linked ships shortly after the recent escalation of violence began with Hamas’ attacks and subsequently expanded their targets to include a wider array of maritime vessels, affecting global trade and energy transportation. The Houthis claim these assaults are part of a strategy to pressure Israel and its allies regarding the ongoing Gaza conflict.
In response, U.S. and allied forces have conducted coordinated airstrikes against Houthi missile launch and weapons storage facilities. Meanwhile, Houthi missile and drone strikes have increasingly targeted major urban areas, spreading fear among residents, some of whom are concerned about the proximity of these strikes to their homes.
Israeli authorities have promised escalation in their military response if the Houthi attacks continue. Defense Minister Israel Katz has issued stern warnings about targeting top Houthi leadership in retaliation for the ongoing threats.
The Israeli military has reported fatalities from its airstrikes aimed at military infrastructure utilized in Houthi operations. However, military representatives acknowledge the complexity of the situation, noting even advanced air capabilities have struggled to curtail the Houthi’s offensive operations.
Unlike Israel’s previous encounters with Hamas and Hezbollah, the lack of geographic proximity to Yemen complicates ground maneuvers against the Houthis. Analysts emphasize that Israel’s intelligence on Houthi operations lags behind that of other militant groups it has faced, making defensive measures less effective.
The Houthi situation signifies a unique challenge for Israel, as the country grapples to respond adequately to a foe it has historically deprioritized in terms of intelligence gathering. With experts warning of a prolonged struggle against this distant enemy, it is clear that tensions are unlikely to dissipate in the near future.
