Sun Dec 22 20:09:00 UTC 2024: ## Israel Vows Retaliation After Houthi Missile Strikes Tel Aviv
**Jerusalem, December 23, 2024** – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed a forceful response to Houthi rebel attacks in Tel Aviv, following a missile strike on Saturday that injured 16 people. The attack, the second this week, prompted Netanyahu to declare that Israel would retaliate against what he termed the “last remaining arm of Iran’s axis of evil.”
The Houthi missile strike, which targeted Tel Aviv’s commercial hub, prompted widespread evacuations following the pre-dawn attack. Netanyahu’s statement came hours after the US launched strikes against Houthi targets in Sanaa, Yemen, destroying a missile storage facility and command-and-control center. The US also reported shooting down multiple Houthi drones and an anti-ship cruise missile. However, the US military confirmed that two Navy pilots were subsequently shot down in an apparent case of friendly fire. The Houthis claimed responsibility for attacking the USS Harry S Truman aircraft carrier the previous day.
The escalating conflict comes amidst the ongoing war in Gaza, with the Houthis claiming solidarity with Palestinians. Both Israel and the US have repeatedly targeted Houthi positions in Yemen in response to attacks on shipping lanes. Israel’s own strikes on Sanaa have increased in frequency since the war began. Netanyahu emphasized that Israel has international backing in its response, stating that the Houthis pose a threat to global order. The conflict has also expanded to include ongoing battles with other Iran-backed groups, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, where a recent ceasefire remains in effect. The conflict has led to significant casualties on both sides and numerous assassinations of key leaders from various groups.
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