Houthis Claim Missile Strike on Israeli Power Station Near Tel Aviv

In a recent escalation of tensions, the Houthi movement from Yemen has asserted that it successfully launched a missile strike targeting a power station situated near Tel Aviv. Yahya Saree, the military spokesperson for the Houthis, announced that the operation involved a hypersonic ballistic missile aimed at what he described as an installation belonging to the 'Israeli enemy' in the eastern region of Yafo.

According to the Houthi-controlled Al Masirah television channel, the missile operation was said to have been executed flawlessly, with the missile reportedly hitting its intended target. In addition to the missile strike, the Houthis claimed responsibility for a drone attack directed at an Israeli military facility in close proximity to Tel Aviv.

Earlier reports from the Israeli military indicated that they had intercepted a missile launched from Yemen. Air raid sirens were activated in central and southern Israel, prompting residents to seek shelter. Emergency services reported that at least a dozen individuals experienced trauma during the incident, while nine others suffered panic attacks as the sirens sounded.

The Houthis have previously stated their intention to escalate military actions against Israeli targets, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. They have vowed to target Israeli territory and to obstruct vessels with pro-Israeli affiliations from navigating through key maritime routes such as the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb Strait until Israel ceases its military operations in the Palestinian enclave. Since mid-November, the Houthis have been linked to attacks on various civilian vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

In recent weeks, missile attacks on central Israel, including major urban centers like Tel Aviv and Ashkelon, have become more frequent as reported by the Houthis. For instance, on December 21, Israeli defense forces confirmed the detection of a missile launched from Yemen, although it was not intercepted, resulting in injuries to at least 30 individuals during that incident.

This latest claim from the Houthis illustrates the intensifying conflict and the potential for further escalations between Yemen and Israel, raising concerns over regional stability and security.