Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have launched their first direct attack on Israel since the start of the war, marking a significant escalation as the conflict spreads across the Middle East.
The Houthis fired missiles towards Israeli territory, with Israeli forces intercepting the projectiles, according to military officials. The group said the attack was carried out in support of Iran, signalling its formal entry into the conflict and opening a new front in the war.
The move underscores the widening scope of a conflict that began with U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran in late February and has since expanded across multiple countries. The involvement of the Tehran-backed Houthis increases the risk of a broader regional confrontation involving Iran-aligned groups.
Despite the distance between Israel and Yemen, Israel has previously intercepted Houthi missile attacks. The group has also targeted vessels in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a key maritime chokepoint linking the Indian Ocean to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.
Analysts warn the development could have significant global consequences, particularly for maritime trade. The Houthis have repeatedly targeted shipping in the Red Sea—one of the world’s most important trade routes—and could now expand those operations as part of the wider conflict.
The escalation comes as fighting continues on multiple fronts, including Israeli operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon and ongoing strikes across Iran, while diplomatic efforts to contain the crisis have yet to yield a breakthrough.
