Wed Dec 25 19:54:52 UTC 2024: ## Houthi Rebels Launch Missile and Drones at Israel, One Intercepted
**JERUSALEM/SANAA** – Yemeni Houthi rebels launched a ballistic missile and two drones towards Israel on Wednesday, claiming the attack targeted Tel Aviv and Ashkelon. The Israeli military confirmed intercepting the missile before it entered Israeli airspace and stated that one drone fell in an open area in southern Israel near the Gaza Strip. No injuries were reported in Israel.
The Houthi military described the missile as a hypersonic “Palestine 2” type and claimed both drone strikes were aimed at Tel Aviv, a major commercial center. This attack follows a similar Houthi strike on Saturday that wounded 16 people in Tel Aviv, prompting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to vow forceful retaliation against the group. Israel has also intercepted projectiles fired from Yemen on Tuesday and previously in July, when a Houthi drone strike killed an Israeli civilian, leading to retaliatory strikes on the Yemeni port of Hodeidah.
The Houthi attacks are part of a continuing pattern of cross-border strikes carried out in solidarity with Palestinians and have included targeting shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, which has prompted responses from the US and UK. The escalation comes as tensions in the region remain high following over a year of conflict in Gaza.
First Piper 