Sanaa: Yemen’s Houthi group on Thursday claimed responsibility for launching a long-range “hypersonic ballistic missile” and three drones at targets in Israel.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sarea said in a televised statement on the group’s al-Masirah TV channel that the missile struck a military site in Jaffa (Tel Aviv), while the drones targeted the city of Beer Sheva and the Red Sea port of Eilat. “Eilat will remain under the continuous targeting of our military operations,” he added, according to Xinhua news agency.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that a drone struck a hotel in Eilat, damaging its gate, while the missile and other drones from Yemen were intercepted. No casualties were reported.
The IDF also confirmed that a drone launched “from the east” crashed in the southern city, while air raid sirens were activated across central Israel, including the Tel Aviv metropolitan area, prompting millions to rush to shelters.
The Houthis, who control large parts of northwestern Yemen, have been carrying out strikes on Israel since the war in Gaza began in October 2023. Israel has responded with retaliatory attacks on Houthi-controlled areas.
The group says its operations are intended to express solidarity with Palestinians and demand an end to the Gaza war and blockade.