 "Houthi rebels holding their weapons. Photo: Mohammed Huwais/AFP")
Air raid sirens blared across central Israel early Wednesday (December 25), sending millions of residents rushing for cover for the second consecutive night.
A missile launched from Yemen was intercepted by Israel’s defence system before entering Israeli airspace, according to the military.
Police reported that shrapnel from the interception fell in several towns, though no injuries were reported.
Houthis ramp up attacks on Israel
The incident marks the fourth time in a week that missiles or drones launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels have triggered sirens in Israel. On Saturday (December 21), 16 people were injured in Tel Aviv when a missile struck a playground after Israel’s air defence system failed to intercept it.
The Houthis have claimed responsibility for the attacks, describing them as acts of solidarity with Palestinians involved in the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Last week, Israeli jets conducted airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, targeting the capital and a port city. Nine people were killed in the strikes, which Israel described as retaliation for previous attacks.
Push for UN action and terror designation
The Houthi attacks have disrupted international shipping routes, forcing companies to divert to longer and costlier alternatives. These disruptions have fuelled concerns about potential impacts on global inflation.
On Tuesday (December 24), Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council to condemn the Houthi attacks and Iran’s alleged role in supplying the group with weapons.
“The Houthis pose a threat not only to Israel but also to the region and the entire world. The first and most basic thing to do is to designate them as a terrorist organisation,” Sa’ar said in a statement.
Sa’ar said he had sent a letter to the Security Council president requesting the session to denounce the attacks and Iran’s involvement. He also instructed Israeli diplomatic missions in Europe to lobby for the Houthi rebels to be added to international terror watchlists.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsExisting terror designations
The United States, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and Israel currently designate the Houthis as a terrorist organisation, according to Sa’ar.
With inputs from agencies