Israel shoots down Houthi missile, fighting spreads across Middle East

Houthi rebels have launched missiles and drones at Israel and disrupted global trade through the Red Sea in response to Israel's offensive on Gaza, adding to the Middle East's instability as the war in the Palestinian enclave continues nine months on.

A target hit by an Israeli airstrike in the port of Hodeidah, Yemen on July 21, 2024. Photo: Reuters

The new flare-up in tensions began with a rare Houthi drone attack on the Israeli city of Tel Aviv on Friday, killing one person. Israeli warplanes then retaliated by striking the Yemeni port of Hodeidah, killing six people and causing major fires.

The Houthi movement said on Sunday that it would continue to attack Israel. Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam told Qatar's Al Jazeera television that "there will be no red lines... every sensitive organization... will be our target."

The Israeli military later said its Arrow 3 missile defense system shot down a surface-to-surface missile launched from Yemen on Sunday before it reached Israeli territory. Air raid sirens sounded in the Red Sea port city of Eilat, sending residents running for cover.

These clashes are part of a spillover effect from the war in Gaza that has drawn in regional and world powers.

The Houthis say they attacked Israel and the Red Sea targets in support of Palestinians in Gaza. The Houthis are a Yemeni Shiite Muslim group that has controlled much of northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, for years.

Hamas' allies include Hezbollah in Lebanon and Iraqi paramilitaries. There is also near-daily fighting between Hezbollah and Israel on the border between Israel and Lebanon.

Hoang Anh (according to Reuters, CNN)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/israel-ban-ha-ten-lua-houthi-giao-tranh-lan-rong-khap-trung-dong-post304356.html